FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 NNBABA | Page 5 Tuchel wary Nets topple of Suarez Clippers, coming back Pelicans rally to bite Chelsea past Celtics Tuesday, February 23, 2021 TENNIS Rajab 11, 1442 AH Djokovic’s ‘sublime GULF TIMES 9’ a statement to the chasing pack SPORT Page 6 QNB STARS LEAGUE Cazorla’s stoppage time strike breaks Al Arabi hearts Table toppers Al Sadd now need just one win from the five remaining matches to wrap up the title By Sports Reporter Doha l Sadd secured an astonish- ing 3-2 comeback win over Al Arabi in an electrify- ing Qatar Derby to maintain Atheir unbeaten status in the QNB Stars League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- dium yesterday. Xavi Hernandez’s men were just minutes away from suff ering their fi rst loss of the season, but Bagh- dad Bounedjah equalised in the 90th minute before Santi Cazorla’s thunder- bolt strike two minutes later gave them a remarkable victory. Table toppers Al Sadd now need just one win from the fi ve remaining match- es to wrap up the title. The Wolves have 47 points from 17 matches, 13 more than their fi erce rivals Al Duhail, who beat Al Gharafa 2-1 yesterday. “It was a crazy match and we de- served to win. We respect Al Arabi team a lot, but they relied on time wasting throughout the match. Therefore, win- ning in the last minutes was well de- served,” a delighted Xavi said. “In the fi rst half we did not play well and this gave Al Arabi the advan- tage. But our performance improved Al Duhail’s Mohamed Muntari (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second half and we succeeded against Al Gharafa at the Suheim Bin Hamad stadium. in achieving victory. I am proud of my players’ performance, especially in diffi cult angle as the clock reached the the lead again with a header from close the second half. We have achieved an double fi gures. range after a fi ne cross following an at- amazing victory. We have not lost yet Al Gharafa too created chances that tack from the left fl ank. this season and we need one victory to included their 17th minute attack when Al Gharafa, aiming to bounce back, win the QNB Stars League,” the Al Sadd Al Sadd’s Santi Cazorla (left) vies for the ball with Al Arabi’s Ahmed Fatehi during the QNB Stars League match at the Jassim Kodjia stormed near the danger area, made a fi ery attack in stoppage time, coach said. Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. but Al Duhail defenders were well in but the rival goalkeeper made a fl ying Al Arabi, who were without coach time to thwart him. Just a few moments save from Adlene Guedioura’s bullet Heimir Hallgrimsson in the dugout Al Arabi shocked Al Sadd with an early right upright in the 54th minute. Soon, stadium. Mohamed Muntari (19th later, Al Duhail went ahead when Mun- from near the penalty area to keep Sabri after the Icelander tested positive for goal, with Soria heading in a measured Al Sadd captain Hassan al-Haydous’ minute) and Dudu (44th minute) scored tari, unmarked near the penalty area, Lamouchi-coached side in lead at half- coronavirus, went ahead after Sebas- cross from the right by Mehrdad Mo- shot was blocked by Al Arabi goalkeeper for Duhail, while Jonathan Kodjia (24th fi red a left-footed shot into the net fol- time. The second session started in tian Soria’s found the net in the 10th hammadi. In fact, Mehrdad gave the Mahmoud Abunada and Bounedjah hit minute) struck one for Al Gharafa from lowing a corner kick by Dudu. similar fashion, with both sides creat- minute. Rodrigo Tabata equalised for assist for their second goal as well with one wide of the target. the penalty spot. The Red Knights con- However, Al Gharafa did not have to ing opportunities to score. Kodjia and Al Sadd in the 63rd minute but Youssef a through pass that was translated into Tabata drew level for Al Sadd by plac- solidated their second spot with 34 wait much to fi nd an equaliser as they Dudu both came close to scoring their Msakni restored the lead for Arabi in goal by Msakni with a long-range shot. ing the ball home in a goalmouth melee, points, while Al Gharafa stayed on 27 won a penalty after al-Brake committed second goal during the exchanges, but the 77th minute. The Dream Team, Al Arabi were a determined lot, just like with Nam doing the spadework along points. As Duhail got off to a fast start, a foul against Homam al-Ameen near none of the teams succeeded in fi nding who had not lost since their defeat to Al they performed against Al Sadd in the the left goalline. After Msakni took Al Michael Olunga was on target early the goal post. Kodjia hit a confi dent low a goal in the second half as Al Duhail Sadd in the Amir Cup fi nal two months 2019-20 season Amir Cup fi nal before Arabi ahead for a second time, Al Sadd when he headed the ball past Al Gharafa shot from the spot, fi ring the ball past a emerged as victorious. ago, looked like securing a famous win going down fi ghting. did not lose heart and their concert- goalkeeper Yousef Hassan in a third- diving goalkeeper Salah Zakaria. Later, Al Rayyan eased past Al before Bounedjah and Cazorla broke On the half-hour mark, Msakni was ed eff orts bore fruit when Bounedjah minute corner kick. But referee Abdul- Five minutes before half-time, ref- Kharaitiyat 3-0. Gabriel Mercado (45), their hearts. just thwarted by Al Sadd goalkeeper headed home Guilherme Torres’ long hadi al-Ruaile, after consulting with eree Alasmar reversed his decision of Naif al-Hadhrami (52nd minute) and Al Sadd had more of the ball in the Meshaal Barsham. At the other end, cross from the right. Cazorla sealed the VAR, disallowed the Kenyan striker’s awarding another penalty to Kodjia fol- Yacine Brahimi (85th minute) scored fi rst half with 61 per cent even though Bounedjah thrice and his teammate Nam issue in favour of Al Sadd by fi ring in a goal, declaring Sultan al-Brake off side. lowing Al Brake’s challenge against him the goals for Al Rayyan, who climbed Al Arabi took the half-time break with Tae-Hee once missed the target. Action missile as a thriller came to a close. Olunga got another opportunity – after checking with VAR. to third with 28 points. Al Kharaitiyat a 1-0 lead. The fast-paced game saw continued to be hot in the second half Earlier, Al Duhail edged past Al to score after a fi ne ball from Assim In the penultimate minute of the fi rst remain at the bottom of the table with both teams attack from the word go and and Cazorla hit a grounder against the Gharafa 2-1 at the Suheim Bin Hamad Madibo, but he hit the ball wide from a half, Brazilian Dudu put Al Duhail in six points. BOTTOMLINE Grand reception for Qatar Cup trophy at Toyota showroom atar Cup trophy was given a opportunity to sponsor the prestigious grand reception at the Toyota tournament. Showroom, Al Abdulghani Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co., as Tower, by the management of part of its corporate policy, has been al- QAbdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. The ways supporting major activities in the Trophy Tour to the Toyota Showroom country, be it sports, cultural, social, was a part of the promotion of the Qa- educational etc., with the intention to tar Cup of which the fi nal will be played provide a strong national feel and show on Friday, the February 26 between Al respect to the great nation of Qatar. Duhail and Al Sadd. Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. is The Trophy was received at the Al a leader in the Qatari Automotive Mar- Abdulghani Tower by Abdulrahman ket, with customers appreciating the Abduljaleel al-Abdulghani, AAB Acting quality, durability & reliability of Toy- Chairman, RK Murugan, Acting CEO, ota products. along with Senior Managers and Staff . Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. The Trophy was accompanied by Nass- W.L.L. Toyota was established in 1958 er Yaqoub Laram Salmeen, Director of as part of Qatar’s infrastructure devel- Sales & Marketing at the Qatar Stars opment. In 1964, Abdullah Abdulghani League (QSL). & Bros. was awarded the Toyota Deal- Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. ership. As one of the forerunners of is the Offi cial Automotive Partner of successful businesses in Qatar, Abdul- Qatar Cup and the company has been lah Abdulghani & Bros. Toyota has es- supporting football in the country for tablished a name for itself with sound many years. The management of Ab- business practices and ethics – a repu- dullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. took tation earned through honesty, integ- the opportunity to thank the QSL for rity and impeccable relationship with bringing the esteemed trophy to the its customers, business partners and Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. Acting Chairman Abdulrahman Abduljaleel al-Abdulghani, Acting CEO RK Murugan and senior Managers and staff pose with the Qatar Toyota Showroom as well as giving it an employees. Cup trophy at the Toyota Showroom, Al Abdulghani Tower. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, February 23, 2021 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Aspire launches insightful series Coach Tuchel wary featuring star players spire Academy through Player Insight fi rst episode its widely acclaimed was broadcasted on both AlKass initiative, “Aspire in Sports Channels One HD Arabic the World Fellows” and English, on Aspire Fellows of Suarez coming Alaunched a bi-weekly pro- website, Aspire Academy social gramme, named “Player Insight”.