SPORTAFC Champions League

Quarter-final, 2nd leg: Al Sadd vs Al Nassr

Premier League: Aston Villa vs West Ham Unitedat Villa Park

FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

07MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019

At the end I just decided to go for it. Having lost two races on

the last corner burned a bit.

Marc Marquez says after winning the San Marino Grand Prix.

Gasol claims rare double as Spain win FIBA World CupAFP BEIJING

Three-time All-Star Marc Gasol became only the second man to win an NBA crown and the FIBA World Cup in the same year after Spain brushed aside Argentina 95-75 yesterday.

Spain, who survived double overtime against Australia to reach the final, led throughout in Beijing to win international basketball’s biggest prize a second time.

The previous occasion was in 2006 with the two Gasol brothers, Marc and older sibling Pau, on the team.

Pau did not feature in China because of injury.

The latest triumph was par-ticularly sweet for the 34-year-old centre Gasol, who three months ago also played a key part in the Toronto Raptors’ run to the NBA title.

Gasol, who had 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, joins Lamar Odom, a double winner in 2010 with the United States and Los Angeles Lakers.

“What can I say? How does it sound to you?” Gasol told reporters of his personal feat.

“I feel very fortunate to be in this position, to play this game and help these guys.

“All of the things you sac-rifice, it’s worth it... what a year, what an amazing year.”

Surprise finalists Argentina had not triumphed since they hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1950.

As a contest, the final was over by the fourth quarter -- although the Argentines did rally to reduce Spain’s previously mighty lead for a time.

Fans of both teams had made it feel more like a football match, decked out in their national colours, chanting loudly and refusing to sit down.

Spain, for whom Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns was after-wards named the tournament MVP, surged into a 14-2 lead.

Led by their slick-haired Italian coach Sergio Scariolo, Spain were up 21-14 going into

the second quarter and increased their advantage to 43-31 at half-time.

With Rubio prominent, drilling 20 points, Spain never looked like surrendering their lead, repeatedly thwarting Argentina’s suffocated offence.

Gasol said that Spain’s defence, which limited Argentine talisman Luis Scola to eight points, was the bedrock of their victory.

“Defensively we improved game by game, our concen-tration, our determination, our consistency,” he said.

Several of the Spain players had tears in their eyes as they collected the trophy.

Argentina’s coach Sergio Hernandez said the better team won.

“No excuse, we were not tired, we were not satisfied because we wanted to win,” he said. “For me, we won the silver medal, we didn’t lose the gold medal.

“I feel very proud of my players.”

France roared back after half-time to defeat Australia 67-59 and claim a second World

Cup bronze in a row -- and extend the Boomers’ long wait for a major medal.

Turkish-based guard Nando De Colo led all scorers with 19 points for France and Nicolas Batum had nine points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals.

The French, one of the tallest teams at the tournament, defeated reigning two-time holders the United States in the quarter-finals, but then lost heavily to Argentina.

“For us it’s something very, very special and important we did it after a very difficult first half,” French coach Vincent Collet said.

“Many teams could have given up, even easy shots we were missing in the first half.

“We started to move the ball better in the second half and that’s why we won this game.”

It is still the best finish for the Boomers, who had never gone beyond the quarter-finals at 11 previous World Cups, but they are yet to claim a medal at the worlds or Olympics.

Deposed champions the United States, who were missing their elite names, finished seventh, their lowest position in tournament history.

They did, at least, qualify to defend their Olympic title in Tokyo next summer.

With 32 teams, this was the biggest-ever Basketball World Cup.

The next one will be in 2023 in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Spain’s Rudy Fernandez holds the trophy to celebrate the FIBA World Cup title with his team-mates, yesterday.

Spain brush aside Argentina 95-75 in the final of FIBA World Cup.

Marc Gasol becomes only the second man to win an NBA crown and the FIBA World Cup in the same year.

France roar back to defeat Australia 67-59 and claim a second World Cup bronze in a row.

Spain’s Marc Gasol celebrates with the trophy.

Europe regain Solheim Cup with thrilling victory over USA

World Cup in ‘beautiful’ Qatar will be unique: Eto’o THE PENINSULA DOHA

Former Cameroon international and four-time African Player-of-the-Year Samuel Eto’o (pictured) has said FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be a unique experience for fans and players, saying ‘when fans arrive in Qatar they will find themselves in a very beautiful country.’

Eto’o, one of the most dec-orated players in world football, in an interview posted on the Supreme Committee website, also backed the idea to host the FIFA showpiece event in the Middle East.

Following are the excerpts of the interview.

Q: We have recently

launched the Official Emblem for the FIFA World Cup 2022 a major milestone in Qatar’s journey on the road to 2022. From your experience, what do you think fans can expect in 2022?

A: When fans arrive in Qatar for the World Cup they will find themselves in a very beautiful country, rich with traditions and culture, and a totally unique setting for the tournament. I can say from first-hand experience the temperature at the time of year the tournament is scheduled for will be perfect for watching football, for playing football and also for relaxing by the beach! So fans will be able to enjoy many things away from the stadiums also, and spend

their holidays in a very beau-tiful country.

Q: What makes the FIFA World Cup so special to you per-sonally? You played in the first FIFA World Cup in Africa – how do you think Qatar will stamp its own identity on the first edition in the Arab world?

A: It is true that I was for-tunate enough to play in the first World Cup in Africa. Although we as a team did not progress as far as we had hoped, it was a memorable experience – not just for Cameroon or the hosts South Africa, but for the whole continent. I have always believed football is a game for everyone, and therefore the World Cup should visit every region of the world. Therefore,

I was delighted to see the Middle East given the opportunity to host in 2022 – it is an oppor-tunity I know it will make the most of.

Q: Qatar’s central location means it is accessible for African football fans too. What would you say to football fans there who are considering attending in 2022?

A: For African fans, it is true, it will be great. For many it will be one flight and for most not too many hours travelling. When they arrive in Doha I am confident they will be happy to find themselves in a country that has more or less the same climate as ours at certain times of the year. Secondly, they will be in a country that has values

like us Africans – a warm sense of hospitality and keenness to welcome others, wherever they are from in the world.

Q: Aside from the action on the pitch, what do you think makes for a suc-cessful FIFA World Cup and how con-fident are you Qatar will deliver in this area?

A: Of course, for those watching

a t

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ments it is about the overall experience. What really

makes a difference is what the fans enjoy away from the stadiums – and

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REUTERS GLENEAGLES, UK

Europe’s women reclaimed the Solheim Cup in the most thrilling finish in the competi-tion’s history when they beat the United States 14.5-13.5 at Gleneagles yesterday.

After a three-day battle royal around the dramatic Scottish course, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, playing against Marina Alex in the final match, sank a putt on the 18th green to spark delirium among the European team.

Moments earlier, with the scores locked at 13.5-13.5, Alex had a putt to keep the trophy in American hands but her effort slid by the hole. Had it gone in she would have been assured of at least a half-point on the 18th.

It was then all down to Pet-tersen, one of Europe captain Catriona Matthew’s picks. Somehow she steadied her nerve to fire her ball into the middle of the cup from around 10 feet.

The day had begun at 8-8 but with three of the 12 singles matches left on the course the Americans needed just a half-point to retain the trophy.

Anna Nordqvist finished off Morgan Pressel 4&3 to close the gap to one point at about the same time that Bronte Law holed a 20-footer for birdie against Ally McDonald to go two up with two to play and keep alive the European dream.

In nerve-jangling tension Law competed a 2&1 victory on the 17th and Pettersen did the rest.

It is the first time Europe have won the trophy since 2013.

“Just unbelievable! There’s never been a better moment. For it to come down to the last game... the Americans played great as well but for Suzann to get the winning putt is phe-nomenal,” Matthew said.

“Half-an-hour ago it looked like a draw would be a good result but those last three games were crucial. Just fantastic. I had faith in Pettersen all the time.”

It is the first time

Europe have won the

trophy since 2013.

TO

DA

Y’S

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ION

AFP MIYAZAKI, JAPAN

Leaner, meaner and better prepared than for their disastrous 2015 World Cup, England have the tools to capture rugby’s top prize, hooker Jamie George warned yesterday.

The English have waited four years to banish the nightmare of the last World Cup, and George believes they could go all the way in Japan after being meticulously prepared by Eddie Jones for what looks like being a wide-open tournament.

“He’s not giving us too many mes-sages now,” George told reporters at England’s training base in Miyazaki.

“The messages have been sort of drilled into us for the last four years really. When (Jones) first came in, he said to you and he said to us that we’re here to win the World Cup in four years,” he added.

“We’re in that place now, so I think we’re in a good position to go out and do that.”

England, who in 2015 famously became the first hosts to crash out of the World Cup’s group stage, have been drawn alongside France and Argentina in Pool C.

But while they hope to emulate England’s 2003 vintage, still the only northern hemisphere team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, George insisted the players were not looking beyond their opening game against Tonga in Sapporo on September 22.

“We’ve got a lot of hard work to go in order for us to get there,” said the Saracens hooker, who has made the number two jersey his own over the past season.

“We’re not thinking too far ahead. Everything that we’re focused on is

on ourselves, mostly this week -- and we’ll look ahead to Tonga next week.”

Jones has said he wants his players to be ready for North Korean missiles, earthquakes and even bad sushi.

England held a heat camp in Italy over the summer and part of the reason Jones chose the southern coastal resort of Miyazaki for Eng-land’s World Cup base was to further acclimatise for the humidity that is likely to have an impact on teams during the tournament.

“A lot of acclimatisation happened in Treviso,” said George, noting England could even play under a closed roof in Sapporo.

“During training here obviously the humidity is pretty high. Regardless of whether we play with the roof on or off, we’re not too bothered about it.”

George, whose contributions at the lineout and as a ball-carrier will be key, revealed that players were dipping balls in water buckets to sim-ulate slippery game conditions, but shrugged: “You’ve just got to make sure you grip it and hope for the best!”

England are still sweating on the fitness of Mako Vunipola (hamstring) and Jack Nowell (appendix) and will not want to pick up further injuries against Tonga before facing the United States in Kobe just four days later.

Tonga were smashed 92-7 by world champions New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up recently, but England defence coach John Mitchell predicted the Pacific islanders would bounce back strongly.

“They’re very hard-working people and obviously very passionate when they do play for Tonga,” he said.

08 MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019SPORT

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AFP TOKYO

New Zealand’s assistant coach yesterday quashed rumours that star centre Sonny Bill Williams had suffered a World Cup-threatening injury, declaring him fit for selection for the All Blacks’ crunch opener against South Africa.

Social media in New Zealand has been abuzz with reports that Williams was heading home, which would have been the second injury blow for the defending champions after losing flanker Luke Jacobson.

But Ian Foster denied the reports.“Is he going home? No. Is he available for selection based on his

progression last week, then I think the answer is yes. He’s trained really well,” he said.

Foster stressed that no one had been called up from New Zealand because “there are no people needed”.

He insisted that nothing but victory was acceptable in New Zealand’s marquee Pool B match against the Springboks.

Meanwhile, playmaker Beauden Barrett revealed the All Blacks had been focusing on playing with a wet ball in training, as torrential rain is forecast at the weekend when the key games get under way.

He said he expects to get pelted with high balls if he plays at fullback and has been preparing intensively.

The All Blacks star said he was equally happy to occupy the fullback or fly half position and was relishing the higher profile he now enjoys in world rugby.

“Four years later, I’m older, more experienced, with a little bit more responsibility on my shoulders,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s a challenge I really enjoy.”

All Blacks dismiss SBW injury rumours

England in the ‘right place’to win title, says George

New Zealand’s players pose for a photograph after a

welcoming ceremony held at Zojoji temple in Tokyo, on Saturday, ahead of the 2019

Rugby World Cup which begins on September 20.

Ireland wary of Japanese threat: SchmidtREUTERS CHIBA, JAPAN

Ireland want to take it one match at a time in their Rugby World Cup group stage but have already singled out hosts Japan as a tough opponent in Pool A, head coach Joe Schmidt said.

The current world number one open their campaign on September 22 in Yokohama against familiar foes Scotland before taking on Japan less than a week later.

Japan have never beaten Ireland in any of their previous meetings, but Schmidt said the recent strong run of form which saw the Brave Blossoms take the Pacific Nations Cup last month makes them a side that needs watching.

“I think Scotland will be very dif-ficult for us. And I think just the six-day turnaround to Japan will be very tough,” Schmidt told reporters on Saturday.

“They were obviously very strong in the Pacific Nations Cup, and I think we’re trying to take one match at a time but we’ve certainly got an eye to the future and the quality that the Japanese team have.”

The warm and humid weather, which the hosts are better accustomed to, will also be a factor.

“The temperature is due to be 32 degrees tomorrow and that’s not really Irish temperatures. That will be a chal-lenge for us in itself,” Schmidt said.

“So we’ll see how we adapt and cope with those different conditions. The forecast for Sunday is torrential rain. So we’re going to have to be ready for whatever conditions there are on the day.”

Ireland are likely to be without centre Robbie Henshaw against the Scots with a tight hamstring but Schmidt hoped the injury was not too serious.

Ireland also play Russia and Samoa in Pool A.

Wales eyeing strong start, says Gatland

REUTERS KITAKYUSHU, JAPAN

Wales did not fully express themselves in their pre-World Cup matches and are looking for a strong start in their bid to win the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time, coach Warren Gatland said yesterday.

Despite winning the Grand Slam earlier this year, Gat-land’s side come into the tournament ranked fifth in the world and after heavy defeats to England and Ireland during World Cup warm-up matches.

Gatland said the team were experimenting in those matches and that their true strategy will only come to the fore when they begin their campaign against Georgia on Sept. 23.

“We haven’t shown a lot in the games we have played and we have kept things under our belt,” Gatland said at the team’s pre-World Cup training camp in the port city of Kitakyushu.

“We feel that it is important to get off to a good start.”“There is a confidence and self-belief in the squad that

if we play to our potential then we can go a long way in this competition.”

Wales face the strong-scrummaging Georgians in Toyota City before a mouth-watering Pool D clash with Australia in Tokyo six days later.

“I think everyone gets a little apprehensive and then they get excited and can’t wait for the first game to kick-off,” said Gatland.

“We are all just sitting here waiting at the moment, training. So, I think everyone just can’t wait until we actually get started.”

Fofana still in doubt for France’s openerAFP FUJIYOSHIDA, JAPAN

France centre Wesley Fofana remains a doubt for France’s World Cup opener next weekend but coach Jacques Brunel said on Saturday that he had the framework for the team that will face Argentina in Tokyo.

The 31-year-old Fofana, who is retiring from international rugby after the World Cup, missed France’s warm-up match against Scotland in Edinburgh with a thigh injury and the same problem has caused the centre to sit out training since Wednesday.

“We are going to wait until the start of the week to see how he is,” said Brunel at a press conference in Fuyoshida.

“He is in rehabilitation. He trained on his own this morning (Sat-urday), he will do the same tomorrow and on Monday we will see whether he will be able to take part in this match or not,” he said.

New Zealand All Blacks’ star centre Sonny Bill Williams

09MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT

Third Qatargas U-23 League beginsTHE PENINSULA DOHA

The Qatar Football Association (QFA) yesterday announced the launch of the third Qatargas U-23 League season 2019-20, which will begin today with three matches.

The event was launched at a joint press conference held by the QFA and Qatargas at Al Bidda Tower.

The third edition of the league showcases the long-standing and fruitful partnership between Qatargas and the QFA which has been in place for many years and witnessed the delivery of numerous successful events and projects.

The press conference was attended by Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications at QFA, Ali Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Public Rela-tions Manager at Qatargas, and representatives from QFA and participating teams.

It was announced that the participating teams in this year’s edition include 12 clubs: Al Ahli SC, Al Sadd SC, Al Duhail SC, Al Rayyan SC, Al Arabi SC, Al Gharrafa SC, Qatar SC, Umm Salal SC, Al Khor SC, Al Sailiya SC, Al Wakrah SC, and Al Sha-hania SC.

Al Kass, the host broadcaster, will broadcast the matches, and produce a special program focused on covering all aspects and highlights of the league and featuring interviews with

players, coaches and other club officials.

Speaking at the press con-ference, Al Kuwari commented: “The Qatar Football Association and Qatargas have a long-standing partnership. Qatargas U-23 League is one of the fruitful results of this unique partnership and emphasises the depth of the relationship between the QFA and Qatargas.

“Qatargas is the world’s premier liquefied natural gas

company and is one of the key sponsors of QFA, having them on board is an important achievement which we aim it continues for many years ahead as it’s part of the QFA’s 2021 vision.”

He added: “Preparations for Qatargas U-23 League have started after the end of the last season, in which a full-fledged marketing and media plan has been put in place in cooperation with our partners Qatargas and

Al Kass, to showcase a perfect league.

“I thank Al Kass for its great efforts in promoting the league and the successful relationship throughout QFA’s matches and competitions.”

Al Sulaiti, PR Manager at Qatargas said: “Qatargas is delighted to be part of this exciting league that brings together some of the most aspiring young footballers in Qatar. We are hopeful that Qatargas’ support for the league will go a long way in taking Qatar’s football to new heights, especially as the country is getting ready to host the World Cup in 2022. I thank the Qatar Football Association for pro-viding us this opportunity to be part of the State of Qatar’s efforts to be one of the world’s leading sports destinations.”

Umm Salal SC will play Al Arabi SC while Al Khor will face Al Ahli SC, and Al Duhail SC will meet defending champions Al Rayyan on the opening day. Matches will be played at 6:15pm at Al Khor, Al Sailiya and Al Arabi stadiums.

Week 1 matches will con-tinue tomorrow while Week 2 and 3 games will be played on September 23 and September 30. All matches will be played on Mondays and Tuesdays of every week. Week 4 of the league will begin on 21 October and matches will be announced at a later stage.

Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing and Communications, QFA, and Ali Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Public Relations Manager, Qatargas following the launch of third Qatargas U-23 League season at Al Bidda Tower, yesterday.

12 teams in hunt for 2019-2020 season crown

PARTICIPATING

TEAMS Al Ahli SC, Al Sadd SC, Al Duhail

SC, Al Rayyan SC, Al Arabi

SC, Al Gharrafa SC, Qatar SC,

Umm Salal SC, Al Khor SC, Al

Sailiya SC, Al Wakrah SC, and Al

Shahania SC.

Ooredoo Cup to kick off on October 11THE PENINSULA DOHA

Al Gharafa will start their title defence against mighty Al Duhail as the schedule for the Ooredoo Cup was announced yesterday by the Qatar Stars League.

According to the schedule, first round of the 12-team tournament will be played on October 11 and 12. The remaining rounds’ fixtures will be finalised in co-ordination with the authorities con-cerned, it was announced yesterday.

Al Sadd will be seen in action on the opening day when they will start their campaign against Al Wakrah at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Al Rayyan will meet Al Shahania while Al Ahli will lock horns with Umm Salal on the inaugural day. The second day of the first round will be followed by three more matches including a game between Al Gharafa and Al Duhail.

The 12 First Division teams participating in the event have been divided into two groups in the Ooredoo Cup with the top four teams advancing to the quarter-finals after the first stage. Al Gharafa have won the previous two editions of the event.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the match against Norwich City on Saturday.

We can’t win all the time: GuardiolaREUTERS MANCHESTER

Manchester City manager Pep Guar-

diola shrugged off his team’s shock

3-2 defeat by newly-promoted

Norwich City in the Premier League

on Saturday saying his team simply

cannot be expected to win every

week.

Guardiola’s team beat Liverpool

to the title by a solitary point last

season after winning their last 14

games.

But after five games of this

season they already trail Juergen

Klopp’s side by five points.

“The people cannot expect us

to win or pick up 100 points all the

time. We’re going to recover now

and come back,” said Guardiola

after the loss at Carrow Road.

City won 32 of 38 games last

season, losing only twice and they

had not suffered a league defeat

since their 2-1 reverse to Newcastle

United on January 29.

The prior season, City achieved

a record 100 points, losing just two

matches in the entire campaign and

finishing 19 points clear at the top.

“Sometimes games like this

happen - we had our chances to

score but didn’t, so congratulations

to Norwich,” said the Spaniard, who

felt the scoreline didn’t reflect the

balance of the game.

Manchester City, as usual, dom-

inated possession with 69% of the

ball and they had eight shots on

target -- while Norwich scored from

all three of their efforts on goal.

“It is football - we had many

opportunities today, they had three

or four and scored three goals,” he

added.

“The first one was a set-piece

we didn’t defend, the second we

were caught on the counter-attack

and the third came from a mistake,

but we know what we are as a

team, we know what we have done

and we know what we are going

to do.” Norwich’s crucial third goal

came after defender Nicolas Ota-

mendi was caught in possession in

his own penalty area allowing

Emiliano Buendia to square to

Teemu Pukki.

In the absence of injured French

defender Aymeric Laporte, who

could be sidelined for six months

with a knee injury, City featured

John Stones and Argentine Ota-

mendi in the centre of defence and

they rarely looked solid on

Saturday.

With Vincent Kompany having

left the club and not been replaced

during the transfer window, City

have few options at the back but

Guardiola said he had confidence

in Stones and Otamendi.

“John and Nico have played

together many times and been a

huge part of what we have done,

but Kompany is now in Belgium,

Laporte is injured and these are the

defenders we have at this moment,”

he said.

City’s Spanish international

midfielder Rodri said not too much

should be read into the loss.

“That’s football. It wasn’t a

normal game, but we have to look

forward. The season is very long,

you’re going to have matches like

this - at least two or three,” he said.

“We’re not a 10 as a team. We’re

not perfect. The only positive thing

we can say is that it’s early in the

season. We’re five points behind the

leaders, but we need to keep going.”

Sometimes games

like this happen. We

had our chances to

score but didn’t, so

congratulations to

Norwich: City manager

Pep Guardiola

Milan on top with win over UdineseREUTERS MILAN

Inter Milan went top of Serie A on Saturday after Stefano Sensi’s (pictured) header sealed a 1-0 win over 10 man Udinese at San Siro to continue their perfect start.

Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul was shown a straight red card for slapping Antonio Can-dreva off the ball in the first half.

Sensi pounced just before the break with a superb header from a Diego Godin cross that was enough to secure Inter’s third win in three league games under Antonio Conte, but the coach was not completely satisfied with his side’s performance.

“We should have been more clinical and finished it off earlier, but instead we were always just hanging on,” Conte told DAZN.

“I read too much rubbish in the papers, but the truth is

nothing is easy and we will never take anything for granted.

“Every game is a battle and the level of Serie A competition has definitely improved.”

Inter moved ahead of Juventus on to nine points after the champions were held to a goalless draw by Fiorentina

earlier on Saturday.Udinese occupy 14th place,

having taken three points from their opening three games.

Conte’s side knew that victory would send them two points clear at the top after the result in Florence and they immediately showed intent

when Matteo Politano drilled a shot off the foot of the post after five minutes.

The visitors proved their ability to cause an upset on the opening day when they beat AC Milan at home but they were put on the back foot when a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review showed De Paul slapping Can-dreva in the face after 34 minutes. The Argentina international was shown a straight red card.

Inter needed just 10 minutes to profit from their numerical advantage as Sensi stooped to meet a cross from Godin and head his finish past the goalkeeper.

On-loan Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez nearly made an instant impact after making his debut from the bench late on, but goalkeeper Juan Musso somehow recovered to block the Chilean’s effort from point-blank range.

Inter Milan move

ahead of Juventus on

to nine points after the

champions were held

to a goalless draw by

Fiorentina earlier on

Saturday.

Udinese occupy 14th

place, having taken

three points from their

opening three games.

SERIE A

La Liga: Jordan stars as Sevilla climb to the topREUTERS VITORIA

Sevilla climbed to the top of La Liga yesterday after beating Alaves 1-0 away from home.

Spanish midfielder Joan Jordan (pictured) scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute, sending a free

kick fizzing into the top corner.Mexico forward Javier Her-

nandez made his debut for Sevilla when he came off the bench in the second half but Alaves finished the game stronger and spurned two chances to equalise late on.

The win took former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui’s side to the top of the table after four games on 10 points, one more than Atletico Madrid.

On Saturday, Ansu Fati, the 16-year-old starlet from Guinea Bissau, scored his second goal of the season as Barcelona breezed to a 5-2 win against Valencia.

Karim Benzema netted twice for Real Madrid as they fought off a late comeback to overcome Levante 3-2 as star Eden Hazard made his La Liga debut.

10 MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019SPORT

Marquez wins San Marino MotoGPAFP MISANO ADRIATICO, ITALY

Spaniard Marc Marquez snatched victory on the final lap at the San Marino Grand Prix yesterday to close in on a sixth world title.

The Honda rider, starting on the second row, took a third MotoGP win in Misano ahead of France’s Fabio Quar-tararo, on a Yamaha-SRT, who had the lead for most of the race.

“At the end I just decided to go for it,” said Marquez, who had been pipped at the line at the last two races in Silver-stone and the Dutch GP.

Five-time world champion Marquez won the 77th Grand Prix of his career in all categories to overtake British legend Mike ‘the bike’ Hailwood.

The 26-year-old has won 51 MotoGP races, 16 Moto2 and ten Moto3.

Marquez now has a 93-point lead on Italian Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso with six races left this season. Dovizioso finished sixth on Sunday on front of his home crowd.

Pole sitter Maverick Vinales com-pleted the podium for Yahama.

“It was a very tough race,” said Quartararo, 20.

“It was the first time that I battled like that with Marquez.” Marquez has

won five times in Misano and twice before in the MotoGP category in 2015 and 2017.

He matches Italian star Valentino Rossi’s record of three wins at the San Marino MotoGP.

Former seven-time world champion Rossi -- who last won in Misano in 2014 -- finished fourth in his home race.

In Moto2, Spaniard Augusto Fern-andez also snatched victory on the final lap to make it back-to-back wins after Silverstone.

The 21-year-old Kalex rider auda-cious overtaking move on the final lap gave him victory over Italian pole sitter Fabio di Giannantonio.

Spain’s Alex Marquez -- younger brother of MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez -- consolidated his overall world championship lead by fin-ishing third.

In Moto3, Japan’s Tatsuki Suzuki started on pole to claim his maiden victory after a thrilling seven-rider battle at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, near Rimini in eastern Italy.

Suzuki’s victory was charged with emotion as he races for the team of Italian Paolo Simoncelli, whose son Marco died after an accident in 2011, with the Misano Circuit named in his honour.

San Marino MotoGP

Results and standings after the San Marino MotoGP, the 13th of the 19-round world championship series, yesterday:1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 42min 25.163sec, 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) at 0.903sec, 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 1.636, 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 12.660, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha) 12.774, 6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 13.744, 7. Pol Espargaro (ESP/KTM) 20.050, 8. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 22.512, 9. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) 26.554, 10. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 31.456, 11. Johann Zarco (FRA/KTM) 32.388Did not finish: Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki), Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati-Pramac), Michele Pirro (ITA/Ducati), Takaaki Nagakami (JPN/Honda-LCR), Cal Crutchlow (Honda-LCR)World championship standings:Drivers:1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 275pts, 2. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 182, 3. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 151, 4. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 149, 5. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 134, 6. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 129, 7. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 112Constructors:1. Honda 281pts, 2. Ducati 221, 3. Yamaha 215, 4. Suzuki 174, 5. KTM 85, 6. Aprilia 57

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli and Mission Winnow Ducati Corse’s Andrea Dovizioso in action during the San Marino Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico, Italy, yesterday.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez

celebrates winning the San

Marino Grand Prix yesterday.

Qatari riders deliver sterling performanceTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Three riders and horses from the Endurance Department of Al Shaqab, member of Qatar Foun-dation, delivered a sterling performance at the prestigious Endurance Equestre Monpazier event recently held in France.

As a result, the successful horses have qualified to partic-ipate in the higher categories of Fédération Equestre Interna-tionale (FEI) races that would eventually qualify them for next year’s Endurance World Cup.

Al Shaqab’s Sultan Salim Al Shamousi, astride RV Sultan, and Khalid Sanad Al Nuaimi, riding IFO LR Polino, competed suc-cessfully in the CEI2* 125km while Marine Faucon, on CA’Saddam Al Shaqab, com-pleted the CEI1* 80km race.

The results of these mar-athon horses and their riders have come at the peak of the international endurance horse racing season.

Leading horses and riders of

Al Shaqab’s Endurance team are presently in France as they undergo intensive training to compete in FEI’s 2019 World Championship for 7-year-old horses in Pisa, Italy, scheduled to take place on September 20.

At the national level, Qatar’s exciting endurance horse racing season will begin in October. Following the international racing season,

Al Shaqab’s Endurance team will be focusing on major national titles such as the 2019 National Day Cup, 2020 Qatar International Cup and the pres-tigious 2020 Emir Sword Cup, among others. As the name sug-gests, Endurance riding involves the horse and rider competing over long distances, often across breathtaking landscapes.

The competition truly puts human and equine stamina and determination to the test. The demands of endurance races are intense and tactical, but the welfare of the riders and the horses are always paramount at all times.

PSG Academy Qatar begins new seasonTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Paris Saint-Germain Academy Qatar kicked off the 2019-2020 season at Qatar Foundation on Saturday.

More than 300 players and their families responded to this fabulous invitation. Didier Domi,

former player of the club was also on hand to attend this event and to offer his valuable advice to all these young football enthusiasts.

The PSG Academy continues its expansion with the opening on September 29 of a second site in the heart of Doha (Al-Wahda - Onaiza) one of the newest

training center developed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, in the context of the upcoming World Cup.

The Academy will be present this season on two major sites, Qatar Foundation and Onaiza but also within the Lycée Vol-taire with the implementation of an After-School program.

There are no less than 650 registered in all sites, with training open to children between the ages of 4 and 16, girls and boys. To promote the spirit of Paris Saint-Germain as an omnisportclub, and offer new experiences to all its fans, a handball program was launched at the beginning of September.

Qatar’s Abdulla and MMP Team fight back for strong finish in ParisTHE PENINSULA PARIS

Qatar’s Adel Abdulla, French off-road racer Matthieu Serradori and team-mates Benjamin and Cédric Bujon overcame an awful start to climb back from the foot of the massive field to finish a superb 12th overall and third in their category at the 27th edition of the 24H Tout Terrain de France, presented by Sofrat, at the Circuit de Fontaine-Fourches yesterday.

After a disappointing quali-fying session and losing many laps following an early accident, the MMP (Micouleu Mécanique Précision) Rallye Raid Team-built Buggy managed to com-plete 180 laps of the demanding northern French circuit and fin-ished 34 tours behind the overall winning Can-Am Maverick of the French trio of Sébastien Guyette, Pascal Mercier and Maxime Fourmaux.

Adel said: “It was a very enjoyable and one of the most difficult races that I did in my life. It was not easy. To make the strategy beforehand with the team, you could really feel the teamwork in this race, especially with everyone pushing for a good result.”

As morning broke yesterday,

Adel and his French team still faced a daunting fight back through the field. They were classified in 24th position in the overall standings after 17 hours of racing. The MMP Rallye Raid entry had amassed 112 laps and were running 35 tours behind the leaders, having run a best lap of 5min 55.655sec.

At this point, the overall leaders were Guyette, Mercier and Fourmaux in a Can-Am Maverick entered in the SSV cat-egory. The leaders in the T1A cat-egory were the third-placed

Mitsubishi Pajero crew of Igora and Rudolfo Skoks and Arvis Pikis and they held on to secure the class win at the finish.

Later in the morning, Adel returned to the driving seat. “It was my turn again and I pushed to take us to position 14 and our last driver moved us up even further to 12th overall and third in the category.

“Our two cars finished second and third in the category, It was a fantastic result. It was the first time for me to have this kind of experience. I am thinking

seriously to do something next year with this championship, because it is very good. You need to be patient.

The circuit is over 7km long. Sometimes they put the water on the roads to stop the dust and it can be unbelievable difficult to drive. It is like driving on ice or snow – very slippery and tricky.

“I thank my sponsor Ooredoo, all the people who support me and MMP for the really good and enjoyable experience.

Qatar’s Adel Abdulla in action at the 27th edition of the 24H Tout Terrain de France at the Circuit de Fontaine-Fourches yesterday.

A rider from the Endurance Department

of Al Shaqab, taking part the prestigious Endurance Equestre Monpazier event in

France.

11MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2019 SPORT

Nabi, Mujeeb shine in record Afghan victoryAFP DHAKA

Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman starred respec-tively with bat and ball as Afghanistan thrashed Bang-ladesh by 25 runs in their second match of the tri-nation Twenty20 international tour-nament in Dhaka yesterday.

Nabi hit an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls under pressure to guide Afghanistan to 164-6 before Mujeeb claimed a career best 4-15 to help his side dismiss Bangladesh for 139 in 19.5 overs for their world record 12 successive Twenty20 international win.

Mujeeb took three wickets in his opening spell to reduce the home side to 32 for four before Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman put a little resistance with 58 runs for the fifth wicket.Gulbadin Naib broke the partnership by removing Mahmudullah.

English Premier LeagueResults yesterday:

Bournemouth 3 (Wilson 23, 72, Fraser 67) Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 44); Watford 2 (Cleverley 53, Pereyra 81-pen) arsenal 2 (Aubameyang 21, 32)

Played on Saturday

Norwich 3 (McLean 18, Cantwell 28, Pukki 50) Manchester City 2 (Aguero 45, Rodri 88); Liverpool 3 (Mane 28, 40, Salah 72) Newcastle 1 (Willems 7); Brighton 1 (Maupay 51) Burnley 1 (Hendrick 90+1); Manchester United 1 (Rashford 8-pen) Leicester 0; Sheffield United 0 Southampton 1 (Djenepo 66); Tottenham 4 (Son 10, 23, van Aanholt 21-og, Lamela 42) Crystal Palace 0; Wolves 2 (Abraham 69-og, Cutrone 85) v Chelsea 5 (Tomori 31, Abraham 34, 41, 55, Mount 90+6)

Today’s fixture (1900 GMT)

Aston Villa vs West Ham

England win fifth Test to square seriesAFP LONDON

England crushed Australia by 135 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test yesterday to level the series at 2-2, ending their historic World Cup-winning season on a high.

Victory for the home side means the Ashes ends in a draw for the first time since 1972, although holders Australia retain the urn.

The tourists, chasing an unlikely 399 to win in a shade under two days, were in trouble early in their second innings when England paceman Stuart Broad removed openers Marcus Harris and David Warner cheaply.

While former captain Steve Smith was at the crease, Australia retained a faint hope sealing their first Ashes series win in England since 2001.

But when Ben Stokes dived to his left at leg slip to catch Smith for 23, giving Broad his third wicket of the innings, England knew they had removed the biggest obstacle in their victory charge. Smith, who

scored an astonishing 774 runs in just seven innings, was out for a score of less than fifty for the first time in the series.

The Oval crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked back to the dressing room in the

September sunshine, with Aus-tralia in deep trouble at 85-4 in the post-lunch session. Matthew Wade offered brave resistance, scoring 117 as Jofra Archer cranked his speed up to 95 miles-per-hour in the evening sunlight,

eye-balling the Australian batsman in an attempt to intim-idate him.

England captain Joe Root finally got his man, luring him forward as Jonny Bairstow whipped off the bails.

Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood went in successive balls, meaning England finished their season on a high two months after winning the one-day World Cup for the first time.

Broad and left-arm spinner Jack Leach both finished with four wickets.

Earlier, England added 16 runs to their overnight tally, with Archer and Leach the last men out.

Rain washes out first India-South Africa T20AFP DHARAMSALA, INDIA

Rain and a damp outfield forced the abandonment of the first Twenty20 international between India and South Africa

without a ball being bowled in Dharamsala yesterday. The pitch and the square at the start of the three-match series remained covered throughout, with rain lashing the sleepy hill station in the Himalayan foothills.

Arsenal blow two-goal lead at lowly WatfordAFP LONDON

Quique Sanchez Flores enjoyed a happy return to Watford as Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead at Vicarage Road to draw 2-2 yesterday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looked to have the Gunners well on course for a comfortable three points when he struck twice in 11 minutes before the break.

However, Sanchez Flores, who was appointed as Hornets’ boss for the second time last week after one point from their opening four games of the season saw Javi Gracia sacked, roused the hosts for an impressive second-half fightback.

Arsenal played a huge part in their own downfall too as they gifted possesion away inside

their own box for Tom Cleverley to pull a goal back before David Luiz upended Roberto Pereyra, who slotted home the resulting penalty.

A point sees Arsenal only move level with Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Leicester behind Liverpool and Manchester City in the early season battle for a top-four finish.

However, it is Watford who will feel they should even have gone onto win the game as Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s ina-bility to find a balance between his brilliant attack and shoddy defence continued.

Emery recalled Mesut Ozil to his starting line-up for the first time since he and Sead Kolasinac were the victims of a carjacking attack in July.

Ozil initially struggled to settle as Watford started the brighter with Cleverley’s rising drive forcing Bernd Leno into a fine save before Jose Holebas

fired horribly off-target with a great chance from the edge of the area.

However, Watford have now conceded 10 goals in their

opening five games to the cam-paign and were opened up far too easily to allow Aubameyang to open the scoring on 21 minutes.

The home fans were screaming for a foul as Dani Ceballos won back possession, but Watford were slow to react as Kolasinac burst down the left and fed Aubameyang, who spun and fired low past Ben Foster.

Ozil was involved as a patient build-up from the vis-itors doubled their lead on 32 minutes.

At the end of a 20-pass move, Ozil freed Ainsley Maitland-Niles in behind the Watford defence and the right-back squared for Aubameyang to slot home his fifth goal in as many games this season.

Arsenal midfielder Nicolas Pepe (left) vies with Watford defender Craig Dawson during the English Premier League match at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London, yesterday.

England (I innings) .......................... 294Australia (I innings) .......................... 225England (II innings)RBurns c Paine b Lyon .................................20

JDenly c Smith b Siddle ................................94

JRoot c Smith b Lyon .................................... 21

BStokes b Lyon ..............................................67

JBairstow c Smith b Marsh .......................... 14

JButtler c Labuschagne b Siddle ................47

SCurran c Paine b Cummins .........................17

CWoakes c Smith b Marsh .............................6

JArcher c Paine b Cummins ............................3

JLeach c Hazlewood b Lyon ..........................9

SBroad (not out)............................................ 12

Extras (NB1, B7, LB11) ................................. 19

Total (all out) .................................... 329Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-87, 3-214, 4-222,

5-249, 6-279, 7-305, 8-305, 9-317, 10-329

Bowling: Cummins 21-5-67-2, Hazlewood 19-

5-57-0 (1nb), Lyon 24.3-5-69-4, Siddle 13-4-52-

2, Marsh 11-1-40-2, Labuschagne 7-1-26-0

Australia (II innings)MHarris b Broad ..............................................9

DWarner c Burns b Broad ............................ 11

MLabuschagne st Bairstow b Leach ......... 14

SSmith c Stokes b Broad .............................. 23

MWade st Bairstow b Root .......................117

MMarsh c Buttler b Root .............................. 24

TPaine lbw b Leach ....................................... 21

PCummins c Bairstow b Broad .................... 9

PSiddle (not out) ...........................................13

NLyon c Root b Leach ......................................1

JHazlewood c Root b Leach .......................... 0

Extras (NB2, B2, LB12, PEN 5) .................. 21

Total (all out, 77 overs) ................... 263Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-29, 3-56, 4-85, 5-148,

6-200, 7-244, 8-260, 9-263, 10-263

Bowling: Broad 15-1-62-4, Archer 16-2-66-0

(1nb), Curran 8-3-22-0, Leach 22-8-49-4,

Woakes 7-1-19-0 (1nb), Root 9-1-26-2

Match result: England won by 135 runs

Series result: England 2 Australia 2

SCOREBOARD

AfghanistanRahmanullah Gurbaz b Saifuddin .....................0

Hazratullah Zazai c Liton b Shakib..................... 1

Najeeb Tarakai c Sabbir b Saifuddin ................11

Asghar Afghan c Sabbir b Saifuddin ............. 40

Najibullah Zadranc Soumya b Shakib .............. 5

Mohammad Nabi (not out) ............................. 84

Gulbadin Naib b Saifuddin .................................0

Karim Janat (not out) .......................................... 5

Extras (B8, LB2, W6, NB2) .............................. 18

Total (six wickets, 20 overs) ................ 164Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-10 , 3-19, 4-40, 5-119,

6-121

Bowling: Saifuddin 4-0-33-4 (w1, nb1), Shakib

4-1-18-2 (w1), Mustafizur 4-0-25-0 (w2), Taijul

4-0-32-0 (nb1), Soumya 2-0-31-0 (w2), Mosaddek

1-0-12-0, Mahmudullah 1-0-3-0

BangladeshLiton Das c Tarakai b Mujeeb .............................0

Mushfiqur Rahim b Fareed ................................. 5

Shakib Al Hasan c Rashid b Mujeeb ................ 15

Mahmudullah c Tarakai b Naib ....................... 44

Soumya Sarkar lb b Mujeeb ...............................0

Sabbir Rahman c Naib b Mujeeb ..................... 24

Afif Hossain c Najibullah b Naib ...................... 16

Mosaddek Hossain b Rashid ............................ 12

Mohammad Saifuddin c Rashid ........................2

Taijul Islam (not out) ...........................................0

Mustafizur Rahman c Sub b Fareed ................ 15

Extras (LB3, W2, NB 1) ......................................6

Total (all out) .........................................139Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-11, 3-31, 4-32, 5-90, 6-95,

7-115, 8-120, 9-124, 10-139

Bowling: Mujeeb 4-0-15-4, Fareed 2.5-0-33-2,

Karim 3-0-27-0 (nb1), Nabi 2-0-11-0 (w1), Rashid

4-0-23-2, Naib 4-0-27-2 (w1)

Result: Afghanistan win by 25 runs

Man of the match: Mohammad Nabi

SCOREBOARD Qatar Arc Trials huge success in ParisTHE PENINSULA DOHA

The Qatar Arc Trials day took place at ParisLongchamp yesterday, with the hopefuls for the biggest races on the weekend of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lining up three weeks before the main event for their final preparation.

Nadia Ahmed Al Sheebi, Chargée D’affaires at the Qatar Embassy in Paris was present and presented the trophies to the winners of the two main races of the day, namely, the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr 1 PA) and the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille.

One month on from his success in the Doha Cup (Gr1 PA), at Deauville, Akoya was victo-rious in the Qatar Cup - Prix Dragon (Gr1 PA), yesterday at ParisLongchamp, on Qatar Arc Trials day.

Trained by Karin Van Den Bos, the 5-year-old horse went from pillar to post, never threatened by second-place fin-isher Al Shamoos. Akoya was running for the first time at ParisLongchamp three weeks prior to his main objective, the Qatar Arabian World Cup, in which he will be facing a much tougher field.

The Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2), for 4-year-olds and up over the 2,400m of ParisLongchamp, was won for the second year running by Waldgeist, in the colours of Gestüt Ammerland who own him in partnership with Newsells Park Stud.

This son of the great Galileo, who is trained by André Fabre,

won by 2 lengths in front of Way To Paris, with Japanese raider Kiseki a somewhat disappointing third. Waldgeist will be running next for the second time in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe back at ParisLongchamp in three weeks’ time, in which he finished a very honorable fourth in 2018.

The Group 1 Qatar Prix Ver-meille, for 3-year-old and older fillies only, also takes place over the same course and distance as the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

An objective in its own right, this highly competitive race was won by Star Catcher. She was ridden by Frankie Dettori, who was also taking his 16th Group 1 win of the year and is trained by John Gosden for the colours of Anthony Oppenheimer, who tasted Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri-omphe success in 2015 with Golden Horn. John Gosden is of course the trainer of Enable, who will be aiming for a third historic

win in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.

The Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2), the final 2,400m trial for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of the day, was highly anticipated as the 3-year-old Sottsass was making his first racecourse appearance since winning the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club in June.

Despite being blocked in on the rail until a furlong out from the winning post, Sottsass showed that he has the class to be a real threat over this distance with an exceptional turn of foot to win by a length and a quarter in front of Mutamakina, the only filly in the race. Racing in the colours of Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm, the colt confirmed that he is the leader of his gen-eration in France.

A 5-furlong sprint down the straight at ParisLongchamp, the Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr3), was won by the British-trained Glass Slippers. This 3-year-old

filly, who was coming here off a Listed win in Deauville in August, is owned and bred by Bearstone Stud and trained by Kevin Ryan. She won by a short head in front of Shades Of Blue, who is also trained in England, by Clive Cox. Glass Slippers sat towards the rear, before being produced wide by jockey Tom Eaves and passing out the field decisively to hit the line in front.

Final Group race of the day, the Qatar Prix du Pin (Gr3) was won by the starting favourite, City Light. This consistent 5-year-old horse was winning his second Group race, having placed multiple times at Group level for owner Jean-Louis Bou-chard. He jumped well and was settled mid-division by jockey Christophe Soumillon. Once in the straight, he eased up to join the leaders and was very impressive to win with plenty in hand by a length and a half from Grainges in second.

An action from the Qatar Arc Trials day at ParisLongchamp yesterday.

Australia players celebrate with the Ashes trophy and urn after drawing the series to retain the Ashes at the Oval, London, yesterday.

QNA DOHA

The Vice-President of the IAAF and Head of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of 2019 World Athletics Championships, Dahlan Al Hamad said that the city is ready to host a memorable edition of the competition when it starts on September 27.

Dahlan, who inaugurated the vol-unteers’ tent at Khalifa International Stadium, said that the competition’s volunteers reached 5000, adding that he was sure that their contribution will help make the major sporting event a success. It is worth noting that the Middle-East is hosting the Athletics Worlds for the first time ever.

Al Hamad stressed that the expe-rience of volunteering will provide val-uable experience to the young volun-teers, saying that it was a true reflection of the national cohesion among all members of society. He also said that the State of Qatar has always been lucky to be the home of such giving young people.

Dahlan concluded his remarks by conveying his gratitude to the President of the Olympic Committee, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani to the

volunteers. He then invited fans in Qatar and all over the world to come and enjoy the different competitions throughout the event.

Deputy director of the institutional support committee Kaltham Al Rumaihi expressed her delight at the launch of the volunteers’ tent.

She said that this great sporting event awaited by the world with all the excitement would turn the attention to Qatar as it hosts the world’s best ath-

letes to compete at Khalifa Interna-tional Stadium.

Al Rumaihi stressed that the vol-unteers proved during the training pro-grams that they have the excellence, patience, and readiness to take respon-sibility, despite the efforts made in the past period they showed team spirit and cooperation to ensure the success of the tournament.

She added that volunteering is a true translation of the passion for

serving our dear country, Qatar.Ali Dari, a volunteer for the World

Championship, said he is very happy and proud to work in the 2019 Championships.

He conveyed the honor and pride of his colleagues volun-teering to serve the 2019 Worlds, adding that the whole world is waiting for th is prest ig ious tournament.

Qatari capital will host the 17th

edition of the IAAF World Athletics Championships

from September 27 to October 6.

This will be thefirst time the

Middle-East will be hosting the top

athletics event.

SPORTPAGE | 09 PAGE | 10

We can’t win all the time,

says City manager Guardiola

World Champion Marc Marquez wins San Marino MotoGP

Monday 16 September 2019

Doha ready for memorable IAAF Worlds: Dahlan

ountunteeaid hwork

the hague thethat

iting g iou

be hosting the top

try, Qatar.er for the World e is very happy

k in the 2019

honor andes volun-e 2019t the for s

g pathletics event.

The Vice-President of the IAAF and Head of the Local Organizing Committee of 2019 World

Athletics Championships, Dahlan Al Hamad.

Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium, the host venue for the IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019. PIC: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH/THE PENINSULA

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Xavi Hernandez-coached Al Sadd will be looking to overcome a one-goal deficit when they host Saudi Arabian counterparts Al Nassr in the second leg of the AFC Cham-pions League (ACL) quarter-final today.

The 2011 champions of the continental tournament, Al Sadd will seek nothing less than a 1-0 win, having lost the first leg by a 2-1 margin in Riyadh 10 days ago.

The Saudi team has never made it to the semi-final stage and Xavi’s men will be looking to dent their hopes at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium this afternoon.

“We are delighted to be at this stage in the AFC Cham-pions League and we are ready for the match,” Xavi said at the press conference yesterday.

“My goal is to win the AFC Champions League,” Xavi said.

“I came to Qatar to win the championships with Al Sadd as a player and coach. I talked to

the players about the impor-tance of winning, and I talked in particular with captain Hassan Al Haydoos about our ability to win the Asian Cham-pions League like what the national team did in the Asian Cup 2019. I am confident of the players and very eager for this match, and we hope to succeed in it and qualify for the semi-finals,” the former Al Sadd captain said.

“We will be facing a dif-ficult match against Al Nasr. We know them very well and accept the difficulties ahead, but I am optimistic that we will play our best game as we also have the advantage of playing at home in front of our fans. So we will defend our chances of qualifying for the next stage,” the Barcelona legend said.

“We started the season very well and I am happy with the level that the team offers,” Xavi said.

Al Sadd will welcome back their star south Korean mid-fielder Nam Tae-hee, who was recovering from an injury which he sustained during last

month’s Sheikh Jassim Cup tie against Al Duhail.

Tae-Hee, 28, resumed training well in advance and he will join the Wolves’ stellar line-up in today’s crunch tie.

“Nam is ready for the game and will be on the list of favourites,” Xavi said yesterday.

South Korean star Jung Wooyoung and Algeriaan goal machine Baghdad Bounedjah are also back after international duties and they will also lift Xavi’s hopes in today’s match.

Captain Al Haydos did not look troubled by Al Nassr’s goal advantage.

“We have the opportunity to compensate and qualify,” Al Haydos said during the pre-match press conference yes-terday, said that today’s match will be a new challenge.

After failing to make it past the play-offs for two consec-utive years, Al Sadd put on a solid performance in the 2018 AFC Champions League, going as far as the semi-finals before losing to eventual runners-up Persepolis. A

Al Sadd can take confidence from their vastly superior history in the com-petition, compared to their visitors.

The Qataris have reached the knock-out stages on five occasions and remain the last West Asian side to lift the trophy.

The Qatari side qualified for the quarter-finals by defeating Al Duhail 4-2 on aggregate while Al Nassr put it past the UAE’s Al Wahda 4-3 on aggregate in Round of 16.

Al Sadd reached the Round of 16 after topping Group D with 10 points and the Saudi side pro-gressed to the knockout stage by becoming runners-up in Group A, also with 10 points.

Al Sadd aim to bounce back against Al Nassr

Al Sadd players take part in a

training session on the eve

of their AFC Champions

League (ACL) quarter-final

second leg match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr which

will be played in Doha today.

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Al Rayyan, Al Duhail share points in round 3THE PENINSULA DOHA

Al Duhail and Al Rayyan played out an exciting 1-1 draw in round 3 of the QNB Stars League (QSL) at the Al Janoub Stadium yesterday.

Ahmed Yasser took Al Duhail ahead in the 66th minute, a lead neu-tralised by new recruit Franck Kom for Al Rayyan in the 75th minute.

Al Duhail took their points tally to five and Al Rayyan three. Both teams thus maintained their unbeaten record.

Al Duhail had beaten Qatar SC 2-1 and drawn 1-1 with Al Arabi, while Al Rayyan had drawn 2-2 with Umm Salal and goalless with Al Gharafa.

Al Duhail were dominant in first-half play with 65 per cent possession (67 per cent in favour of Al Duhail at final whistle), but they could not convert the opportunities.

Al Duhail’s Paulo Edmilson, Ali Afif and Almoez Ali all made attempts at the rival goal. At the other end, Al Rayyan’s Abdelaziz Hazaa skied his shot over the bar.

Al Duhail kept attacking and Ahmed Yasser provided them with the winner in the 66th

minute when he headed in a free-kick by Ali Afif into the top right

corner of the net, leaving goal-keeper Fahd Younis rooted at the

goal.Not long after, Al Rayyan

equalised, Cameroonian Kom banging home a rebound from distance off goalkeeper Amine Lecomte after he punched away a shot from Abdelaziz Hatem, who joined Al Rayyan from Al Gharafa this season.

At the end of the third round, Al Arabi are at the top of the standings with two wins and one draw.

Defending champions Al Sadd who are occupying the third spot, will meet Al Sailiya in their third round fixture on September 24. The match was post-poned due to the latter’s AFC Cham-pions League second-leg quarter-final against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr which takes place in Doha today.

Xavi Hernandez