SPORT Thursday 26 October 2017 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 PAGE | 36 Dhawan, Karthik helphelp Garcia keeps NNBA:B James leads India prevail in Punene to campaign alive withh revarevampedm Cavaliers level series win; Wozniacki in liline-upn to victory QOC, Ministry of Education and Higher Education launch ‘Kun Riyadi’ Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Chairman H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani poses for a photograph with special invitees and schoolchildren at the launching ceremony of the first stage of Kun Riyadi (‘Be an Athlete’) programme in Doha yesterday. The programme is conducted by the QOC in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Higher Education. See also page 31 Al Rayyan determined to break Al Sadd jinx Armstrong Vas four main players, the squad is still The Peninsula stronger this season. When the going is good, things are smooth l Rayyan coach Michael in the team camp as well. We’ve Laudrup said his team Of course, it is a big already played seven games, is eager to break the game and a big date. including in the QSL Cup, and won jinx of losing to Al Sadd six of them,” said the Dane. when they clash in the We’re keen to take on Meanwhile, Al Gharafa coach RoundA 6 match of the QNB Stars Al Sadd mainly because Jean Fernandez admitted they have League (QSL) dubbed the Qatar we want to reverse the an uphill task when they take on Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Clasico. trend of defeats leaders Al Duhail. Al Thani (right) and Japan Football Association (JFA) President Kohzo Tashima The Lions haven’t won against “We know it’s a difficult task pose for a photograph during the cooperation agreement signing ceremony at Al Al Sadd in the league for a while against them in recent against Al Duhail. They’re the Bidda Tower yesterday. and the clash between the two times: Michael Laudrup champions and leaders with an all- teams always evoke a keen inter- win record. However, we’ll be est among all stakeholders. Both desperate to get some points. We’re sides have stand-out players in all trying to put behind the disap- Qatar and Japan sign departments to make the game pointment of losing to Al really electrifying on the pitch. Kharaitiyat by a big margin in the “Of course, it is a big game and a “From the league standings’ point last round,” Fernandez said. big date. We’re keen to take on Al of view too, this is an important Al Duhail top the league stand- MoU at Doha meeting Sadd mainly because we want to match for us. We want to finish in ings with 15 points from five reverse the trend of defeats against the top four and play in the AFC matches. them in recent times. We must be Champions League. We’ve to be “We took on Al Kharaitiyat in The Peninsula relations and I look forward to imple- playing at our best, with or without really, really strong on the field. If a confident manner, having regis- menting this cooperation in the near the ball. There are some outstanding not, players like Xavi (Hernandez), tered our first victory in this he Qatar Football Association (QFA) future.” players on both sides and it must be Baghdad (Bounedjah), Jugurtha season’s league, against Al Khor. signed a cooperation agreement He added: “This agreement will ben- nice for the players to showcase their Hamroun and Hassan Al Haidos But things didn’t work our way and Twith the Japan Football Association efit both countries, especially as Qatar has skills and also for others to watch will kill us. We should be creatingg we ended upp disappointed.pp We justj (JFA) at QFA’s headquarters in Doha become a great football power in Asia, and tthemhem in action,” saisaidd more opportunitiesopportunities to couldn’tcouldn’t sustain thethe momentum.momentum. yesterday. is preparing to host the 2022 FIFA World Laudrup.Laudrup. score,” hehe added.added. All thatthat is past andand we looklook forwardforward The agreement was signed by QFA Cup Qatar in five years’ time. By follow- TheT h e Dane to thisthis matcmatch.h. We won’t get over-over- President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin ing the size of the great achievement expressed confconfi-i- awedawed by Al Duhail’s status. They’veThey’ve Ahmed Al Thani and by JFA President reached by Qatar I am certain that Qatar ddenceence tthathat AlAl somesome dangerousdangerous playersplayers andand Kohzo Tashima. has sufficient time to host and stage a Rayyan has the (Youssef)(Youssef) El Arabi is scoring at will.will. The signing ceremony was also unique tournament. I had pleasure of vis- rigrightht arsenaarsenall ItIt allall willwill dependdepend on howhow wellwell wewe attended by Saoud Al Mohannadi, Vice iting the Qatar national teams centre at whichwhich is capacapableble cocontainntain ththeireir atattacks.”tacks.” President of the QFA. Aspire, which is a world-class centre with of penetrating FernandezFernandez saidsaid hishis backback fourfour The agreement focuses on coopera- great facilities and is set to open its doors tthehe AAll SaSadddd needneed to tightentighten thethe loosedloosed ends.ends. tion in several key areas, mainly: technical soon for the teams which will definitely defence.defence. “Our“Our defencedefence needsneeds toto and professional exchanges, national help the teams achieve great results. “We’ve a improve. IfIf you defenddefend well,well, thenthen teams, exchange of expertise (including He also said: “Through this agree- strong squasquad.d. you’veyou’ve more chanceschances to win. We’veWe’ve coach education and youth development), ment, the JFA and QFA will focus on joint Even if we many positives to draw from ourour game development, player development efforts to explore the possibility of organ- cchangehange games so farfar andand we’llwe’ll try to buildbuild and referee development. ising matches for the first teams and age ththreeree onon them,” said the Frenchman.Frenchman. Through the agreement, the QFA and group teams. Other aspects of the agree- or Al GharafaGharafa are sixtsixthh in thethe tabletable JFA will focus on joint efforts to explore ment will see both associations focus on withwith fivefive points. the possibility of organising friendly the exchange of knowledge and exper- matches between the two associations. tise in the technical, administrative, sports The JFA President, Kohzo Tashima science and sports medicine fields espe- commented: “I am delighted to come to cially as Qatar has Aspetar, the global my second home Qatar and thank Sheikh sports medicine hospital that is known Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani for its world-class facilities and for the warm welcome and hospitality. services.” The official signing of the agreement with QFA has now signed agreements with the QFA is a very positive step towards Oman Football Association (OFA), football development, especially since I Uzbekistan Football Federation (UFF), have a close relationship with the Presi- and the Korea Football Association (KFA) dent of the QFA. I am pleased to sign this as part of its strategy to develop football cooperation agreement today, which is in Qatar and enhance its relationship with an illustration of the existing brotherly its various Asian counterparts. 30 SPORT THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER 2017 League Cup: Bravo stars as City see off Qatar, Korea boost ties Wolves in shoot-out with new agreement London 4-1 loss away to Bristol City AFP despite taking the lead at Ash- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al ton Gate. anchester City goal- Bakary Sako put the Eagles Thani, President of the QFA and Chung keeper Claudio Bravo ahead in the 21st minute. But Monggyu, President of the KFA during the Mwas the Premier second-tier Bristol City hit back cooperation agreement signing ceremony League leaders’ hero as they through goals from Matt Tay- at Al Bidda Tower yesterday. beat Championship leaders lor, Milan Djuric, Joe Bryan and Wolves in a penalty shoot-out Callum O’Dowda. to book their place in the quar- Managers at both ends of ter-finals of the English League the Premier League table often Cup on Tuesday. regard the League Cup as an Despite chances at both inconvenience and Palace’s lat- ends, the Etihad Stadium clash est loss was not so surprising was still scoreless after 30 min- given Roy Hodgson, the former utes of extra time, sending the England boss, had made 10 tie to spot-kicks. changes to the London club’s Bravo, much criticised after line-up. some unconvincing displays Elsewhere, Jesse Lingard last season and making just his scored twice as League Cup third appearance of this cam- holders Manchester United saw paign, saved successive off Premier League rivals penalties from Alfred N’Diaye Swansea 2-0, a result that saw and Conor Coady in a shoot-out Jose Mourinho’s men bounce where the kicks were taken back from a shock league using the ABBA formula. defeat by Huddersfield. Sergio Aguero, just one goal Bournemouth, fresh from away from becoming City’s all- just their second Premier time leading goalscorer, sealed League win of the season last a 4-1 shoot-out success with a weekend, enjoyed a 3-1 victory cheeky Panenka chipped at home to Middlesbrough. The Peninsula Hamad bin Khalifa bin penalty. Jack Simpson put the Cher- Ahmed Al Thani for the But as the Argentina strik- ries ahead with a goal on debut he Qatar Football warm welcome and hospi- er’s effort was scored in a before Marcus Tavernier equal- Association (QFA) tality. I am also happy to sign shoot-out he remains level with ised for Boro.