SPORT Tuesday 7 Novembermber 20172017 PAGE | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 Man City will be London Finals up EnglEngland’s Anderson ‘hard to stop’, next for Paris eyes vice warns Wenger conqueror Jack Sock captaincy role Barshim shortlisted for IAAF Athlete of the Year award Chinthana Wasala The winner of this year’ IAAF followed by a series of truly star The Peninsula award will collect his trophy at a class acts. glittering ceremony in Monaco on The 26-year-old Qatari high atar’s star athlete Mutaz November 24. Last year, retired jumper cleared 2.35 metres at the Essa Barshim, along with Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt London Worlds in August 2017, Qlegendary British long dis- received the honour. exactly a year after he won the sil- tance star and South African In the women’s category, Ethi- ver medal at the Rio Olympic sprinter were shortlisted for opia’s 10,000m Olympic champion Games. the IAAF’s World Athlete of Almaz Ayana is the top contender, Barshim’s historic feat in Lon- the Year award yesterday. eyeing a second successive wom- don was followed by a series of top Barshim will be look- en’s world athlete of the year performances, including a world ing to bag his second honour. leading 2.40-metre jump at the award within a span of She is up against Greek pole- Birmingham Muller Grand Prix just just few weeks, having vault star Ekaterini Stefanidi and a week later. won the Asian Athlete of the Year Beigium’s heptathlon Olympic and He also went on to finish as the award at the Association of world gold medallist Nafissatou top star of the 2017 Diamond National Olympic Committees Thiam. League season with five wins (ANOC) awards ceremony held in Barshim had a year of great before repeating a 2.40-metre Czech capital of Prague last success and was able to add the jump in Eberstadt, Germany, for Thursday. World Champion title to his name, the 11th occasion in his career. Superstars head for global showjumping gala in Doha The Peninsula Talking about the top cali- Doha, to which we lend our the grand stage of Al Shaqab, a bre events, Scott Brash said: “The name.” member of the Qatar Founda- n all-star cast of level of competition on the GCT Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) cur- tion. This year, Al Shaqab eight out of the circuit is so high, so to win a rently sits in second with 260 celebrates it’s 25th anniversary, world’s top 10 rid- Grand Prix or League class you points overall, with Christian and the three day event from ers are heading to and your horse have to be at the Ahlmann (GER) just three points 9th - 11th November will hold Al Shaqab, Qatar, absolute top of your game.” away on 257. Alberto Zorzi (ITA) something for all the family, forA this weekend’s climax of the Lorenzo de Luca said he will is only a two-point whisker with a kids entertainment area, 2017 Longines Global Champi- be “giving everything” to keep away on 255 points. Maikel van Arabian displays and a special ons Tour and Global Champions his second place in the overall der Vleuten (NED) and two-time show to celebrate the anniver- League. LGCT championship ranking LGCT Champion Scott Brash sary. National riders will also Harrie Smolders (NED), and said: “GCT is one of the best (GBR), on 247 and 245 points compete with the opportunity Scott Brash (GBR), Eric Lamaze and most difficult circuits in the respectively, will be formidable to see their home and Olympic (CAN), Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), world.” opponents in the final deciding heroes such as Sheikh Ali Bin Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Kevin New LGCT Champion Har- LGCT Grand Prix of 2017. Khalid Al Thani (QAT) and Staut (FRA), Peder Fredricson rie Smolders, who made history In the Global Champions Bassem Hassan Mohammend (SWE) and Maikel van der Vleu- this year by taking the title at League race to the finish line, (QAT) in action. ten (NED) will all be in action at the penultimate event in Rome, teams are tactically fielding Other top riders competing the final leg of the season. said: “In the Global Champions heavy-weight combinations for in Doha include Simon Deles- There will be a captivating Tour the level is very, very high the final push for the overall tre (FRA), Edwina battle for the final overall rank- because we have the best ranking and season prize Tops-Alexander (AUS), Daniel ing places after a season of horses and the best riders in the money. Hamburg Diamonds Deusser (GER), Marco Kutscher phenomenal Longines Global world. A higher level is not and Valkenswaard United lock (GER), Pieter Devos (BEL), Ben Champions Tour Grand Prix possible.” horns for the final time in 2017 Maher (GBR), Bertram Allen action across the world in stun- Walter von Känel, President after their intensive duel for the (IRL), Laura Kraut (USA), Mar- ning locations. of Longines, said: “We are title crown saw them pull ahead lon Zanotelli (BRA) and Lauren With competition reaching pleased to be back at the mag- of the pack on points. Other Hough (USA). Winners of LGCT new heights this year, the LGCT nificent Al Shaqab Equestrian teams including Miami Glory, Grand Prix this season will also season has seen nail-biting split Centre which will once again Paris Panthers, Mexico Amigos, be competing including Mexico second finishes from the best provide the perfect backdrop St Tropez Pirates, London City winner Martin Fuchs (SUI), horse and rider combinations for this much-awaited final of Knights, Doha Fursan Qatar, Miami Beach winner Jérôme who consistently compete at the series. Our brand also looks Rome Gladiators and Shanghai Guery (BEL), Cannes winner every event (to check out our forward to the weekend’s high- Swans will be jostling for an Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), and special LGCT Season So Far light, the Longines Global overall GCL Top 10 finish. Rome winner Evelina Tovek Great Britain’s Scott Brash in action in this file photo. video click here). Champions Tour Grand Prix of The finals will play out on (SWE). Qatar down Lebanon to set up super finale with Iraq The Peninsula counter-attacking move UAE scored their third and Alblooshi doubled UAE’s lead fourth goals in quick succession atar set up a super finale after evading defenders to score through Khalfan Hassan Al with Iraq, after beating in the 25th minute. Hamadi in the 67th minute and QLebanon 2-0 in their Group Kyrgyz Republic, however, Rashed Mubarak a minute later C match of the AFC U-19 Cham- pulled one back three minutes to win 4-1. pionship Qualifier played at Al from half-time. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia took Arabi Stadium in Doha Dastan Karypbekov’s strike a firm grip on Group yesterday yesterday. from 30 metres flew past the UAE on Monday as they sealed a spot In Bisttek, UAE reached the goalkeeper Salem Khairi Muftah in the Finals in Indonesia next summit after beating Kyrgyz to put the score at 2-1. year after beating Chinese Taipei Republic 4-1 in their AFC U-19 Kyrgyz Republic, who needed 2-1 to seal top in Group H. Championship 2018 Qualifiers a win to keep their hopes of qual- China confirmed their spot Group A tie at the Dolen Omur- ifying for the Finals alive, started two weeks ago along with hosts zakov Stadium yesterday. the second half with intent as they Indonesia but there are still 13 Khaled Alblooshi gave UAE drove with purpose up the field. places up for grabs and all will be the lead after seven minutes But they could not find a decided today. through a counter attacking move breakthrough past UAE’s stout The 10 group winners and with Ahmad Fawzi providing the defence, who absorbed 20 min- five best second-placed teams Qatari players celebrate after scoring a goal against Lebanon yesterday. assist. utes of pressure before biting advance to the Finals alongside In another slick back. hosts Indonesia. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2017 Italy legend Pirlo calls time on career Rome Milan and Reggina before join- or not they can open a cycle or AFP ing AC Milan, where he won two close one. But I don’t even con- Serie A crowns and two Cham- sider the idea of not qualifying. taly legend Andrea Pirlo yes- pions League trophies in 2003 We’ll go to Russia for sure,” terday called time on an and 2007. Ventura told a press conference Iillustrious career during Known as a free-kick spe- at the team’s training base of which he won the 2006 World cialist he was dubbed ‘the Coverciano in Tuscany. Cup, two Champions League architect’ for his playmaking Italy travel to Sweden for titles and six Serie A trophies. skills and uniquely cool and ele- the first leg of their play-off on The 38-year-old former gant playing style. Friday in Stockholm with the Juventus, Inter Milan and AC In 2011, while out of contract return leg in Milan’s San Siro on Milan midfielder made a late he joined Juventus, a deal which Monday. appearance for his club New Italian international goalkeeper “I’ve found an extraordinar- York City against Columbus Gianluigi Buffon dubbed the ily willing and motivated Crew, the day before announc- “the deal of the century”. group,” said 69-year-old Ven- ing the end of his playing career. In Turin, Pirlo continued to tura who took over in June 2016 “Not only my adventure in impress despite his age winning when Antonio Conte moved to NY comes to an end, but my four titles and an Italian Cup.