Sport TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER 2020 Japan’sJa Naomi Osaka says Brady would be a formidable opponent in semi-final ItIt (Tokyo( 2020 Olympic Games) will be simple rather than festive,fes but I hope it will be something moving that encouragesen people through the power of sport. Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto Sport |09 QVA SENIOR LEAGUE: Al Wakrah beat Al Arabi 3-1 (25-21, 25-17, 18-25, 25-22); Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17) Space Jam beat Pro Sports in final to emerge QBF Ladies Champions Players and team officials of Space Jam, Pro Sports and Women's National Team are seen with event organisers Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) at the end of the Ladies Championship final yesterday. Space Jam beat Pro Sports 42-41. Eight teams featured in the Nov 11-Dec 28 event. Qatar Women's National Team finished in third spot. Leicester Gutsy Qatar SC hold Al Sadd in move up to second after QSL thriller; Al Wakrah win 2-1 1-1 draw THE PENINSULA – DOHA at Palace The impressive winning streaks of both QNB Stars League (QSL) REUTERS – LONDON points leaders Al Sadd and Qatar SC this season came to an Leicester City moved up to end yesterday when the two second in the Premier League teams shared points following after a 1-1 draw at Crystal a one-all draw at Qatar SC Palace when Harvey Barnes Stadium. cancelled a Wilfried Zaha goal Consistent scorer Anthony at Selhurst Park yesterday. Okpotu put the hosts ahead in Leicester will remain the 31st minute in the thrilling second overnight with Round 11 clash before Santi Everton, level on points with Cazorla scored the equaliser in them, not playing later on the 42nd minute with a penalty Monday after their home kick. match against Manchester City The draw ended Al Sadd's was postponed following more six-game winning run. Qatar positive COVID-19 cases at SC were enjoying five wins in City. a row prior to yesterday's Leicester dominated the match. bulk of the game but failed to This result raised Al Sadd's take their chances and missed balance to 29 points, seven clear a first half penalty while of their closest opponent Al striker Jamie Vardy only came Gharafa who were also involved on as a second half in a one-all draw with Umm Qatar SC's Mohammed Youcef Belaili (second right) is challenged by Al Sadd's Pedro Miguel during substitute. Salal. With one point added to yesterday's QNB Stars League Round 11 match played at Qatar SC Stadium. Palace made it 1-0 just their total (19) Qatar SC made it before the hour mark when the top four depending on the Andros Townsend floated a goal difference. Qatar SC and Cazorla converted a cross to the far post for Zaha to Al Ahli now have same number penalty awarded after Qatar volley home from an acute of points. SC’s Ali Karimi brought down angle. However, Barnes Al Sadd attacked from the Bounedjah. equalised when he scored his beginning, with the likes of Al Sadd had much more of second goal in as many games, Baghdad Bounedjah, Nam the ball, but the teams took the driving a low effort from the Tae-Hee and Abdelkarim half-time break with a 1-1 edge of the box past the out- Hassan raiding the rival citadel scoreline. ROUND 11 stretched arm of Guaita in the time and again, giving Qatar SC Qatar SC’s substitute Eisa YESTERDAY'S RESULTS 83rd minute. goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail a har- Ahmed had a chance to give Al Gharafa 1-1 Umm Salal rowing time. his side the lead a second time, Al Wakrah 2-1 Al Kharaitiyat However, it was Qatar SC but his shot was blocked by Qatar SC 1-1 Al Sadd Everton vs who took the lead against the the goalkeeper in the 80th run of play when Okpotu took minute. City PL game advantage of a defensive Soon, Bounedjah shot wide full points yesterday when they mistake committed by Tareq of the target and Cazorla too recorded a 2-1 win against Al postponed due Salman. hit wide, in the 90th minute, as Kharaitiyat. Okpotu tested goalkeeper the deadlock continued. At Al Duhail Stadium yes- to virus cases Meshaal Barsham again in the Elsewhere, Al Wakrah terday, Al Kharaitiyat took the 37th minute. became the only team to grab lead in the 21st minute through REUTERS – LONDON a goal by Mahmoud Saad Al Wakrah captain Mohamed Benyettou shoots at the goal. before Malian international Al Gharafa and Umm Salal players in action. Everton’s Premier League Ousmane Coulibaly scored the match at home to Manchester equaliser in the 43rd minute. City yesterday was called off Jassim Ali added the second early on attacking Umm Salal Alaaeldin charged towards the due to new COVID-19 cases goal in the 90th minute to take from the first minute. The Umm Salal box despite being reported at City, the league Al Wakrah’s points tally to 13 former champions even won a under pressure from Aymen said in a statement. as they climbed three spots in corner kick in the first 40 Abdennour. Just as he entered City returned a number of the QSL standings. seconds. the box, Umm Salal keeper positive cases for COVID-19 Later at the same venue, Al Al Gharafa continued with Malick stepped out and pro- after confirming four positives Gharafa and Umm Salal shared an attacking game and duced a sliding tackle that last week, including striker points after their Round 11 Jonathan Kodjia broke into the brought down Ahmed Gabriel Jesus and defender match ended in a 1-1 draw. Umm Salal box in the sixth Alaaeldin. Kyle Walker. Sofiane Hanni opened the minute. Kodjia, who dominated The referee pointed to the The Premier League board scoring for Al Gharafa by con- throughout the match, fired a spot and Hanni converted the agreed to rearrange the game verting a penalty in the 12th bullet from close range, but his penalty. as a precaution after City minute, while Kayke Rodrigues shot was blocked by keeper Umm Salal’s reply came lodged a request following the equalised for Umm Salal in the Baba Malick. when Adel Alawi clipped in latest round of testing. next minute of the hard-fought Kodjia managed a repeat a neat cross for Rodrigues City have decided to shut match. attack in the ninth minute and who arrived with perfect down their first-team training Al Gharafa now have 22 this time his shot went to the timing to deflect the ball on facility indefinitely, with the points and Umm Salal 10 left of keeper Malick. the volley from close range squad set to undergo testing points. Al Gharafa opened the as their fans celebrated the before any decision is made Al Gharafa showed intent scoring off a penalty. Ahmed equaliser. for training to resume. TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 11 Athletes in action at QOC Beach Games Action during the men's handball and volleyball competitions of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games at the Aspire Zone yesterday. In beach volleyball events yesterday, Stars beat Lusail men with a margin of 2-1 (21-18, 15-21, 15-13). I’d love to experience living in the Mourinho United States, playing in that Messi undecided over future league and living that life unhappy at but I don’t know whether it’ll happen: at Barcelona, drops US hint Spurs’ lack Messi put those the final six months of his not get distracted by other of ambition plans on hold contract. things.” till the end of the “I don’t know what I’m The Argentine did not REUTERS – WOLVERHAMPTON 2020-2021 season going to do yet, I’m going hide his pessimism about REUTERS – BARCELONA as the club insisted on to wait until the season the club, who have made Tottenham Hotspur manager enforcing the €700m ends,” Messi said in an their worst start to a season Jose Mourinho admonished his Lionel Messi has yet to ($854m) exit clause should interview with Spanish tel- in 33 years and are in a players after losing another make up his mind if he will another club want to snap evision channel La Sexta deep financial crisis due to lead, this time to Wolver- terminate his two-decade him up. broadcast. the impact of the corona- hampton Wanderers in long relationship with But with the Catalans “I’d love to experience virus pandemic. Sunday’s 1-1 draw, to continue Barcelona at the end of this languishing in fifth place in living in the United States, “It’s a difficult moment a poor run that has seen them season, hinting that he La Liga and a lot of playing in that league and for the club, for everyone, slip from first to fifth in the could end up seeing out his upheaval going on within living that life but I don’t but those inside the club Premier League. playing days in Major the club, Messi described know whether it’ll happen. know that it’s in a really “It is disappointing, of League Soccer. Barcelona’s plight as “really “Right now the most bad situation, things are course,” Mourinho said, The Argentine’s future bad”. important thing is to focus very bad and it’s going to acknowledging frustration has been a hot topic ever From January Messi on the team and finish the be difficult to return the after Tanguy Ndombele’s goal since he tried to leave Bar- will be free to negotiate his season well, to focus on club to where it used to be,” after 57 seconds was cancelled celona in August.