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SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021

Qatar Equestrian Federation announces 2021 Amir's Sword Championship As organisers, we have always been very happy with the high quality of this event and the level of competition it delivers. It has always been our aim to achieve the very best for the Amir’s Sword.

Sport |07Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al AttiyahPresident QEF & Modern Pentathlon

Sport

Defending regional champion takes full advantage after late drama for Meeke

Al Attiyah grabs lead at Qatar RallyTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Defending regional champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah took full advantage of late problems for Ulsterman Kris Meeke to hammer home his advantage after a fascinating four gravel special stages of the Qatar Inter-national Rally yesterday.

The two rivals shared a pair of stage wins apiece through the northern deserts and were sep-arated by 10.3 seconds before the last action of the day. Meeke and English navigator Sebastian Marshall damaged the underside of their Škoda Fabia R5 after a heavy landing over a jump and were forced to stop after the stage.

The actual time loss was only 46.9 seconds, but the radiator had failed after the impact and damaged the inter-cooler. Rather than risk dam-aging the engine more seriously, Meeke stopped the Fabia on the road section and had to be towed back to Losail with hefty time penalties later awarded that will drop him down to sixth place in today’s restart under Rally2 rules.

That drama enabled Al Attiyah and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel to guide their Autotek Volkswagen Golf GTi R5 to the night halt with a 1min 40.6sec advantage over Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and new Irish co-driver James Fulton in their Škoda Fabia R5.

“It was a good day for us,” said Al Attiyah.

“It was not easy. Kris Meeke was pushing really hard. The level was really high so I am very happy.”

Al Kuwari, the 2012 Qatar International Rally winner, had not been on the leading duo’s pace in the last two stages after a flat tyre and dust issues, but the Qatari finished the day com-fortably clear of third-placed Khalid Al Suwaidi and his nav-igator Hugo Maghalães.

“We started well on the first two stages, where the gap was not too big to Nasser and Kris,” said Al Kuwari.

“The second loop we had some problems with dust. I stopped on one hairpin, where

I could not see the road at all. On the last stage we had a flat tyre, front-left. Second place is not bad though.”

Nasser Khalifa Al Atya also benefited from Meeke’s issues and climbed to fourth overall with Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri driving impres-sively into fifth place and a comfortable lead in MERC 2.

Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani belied his lack of rallying experience to post an impressive debut drive to sixth in the Motorsport Italia-run Škoda. Oman’s Zakariya Al Ofi was seventh and

second in MERC 2 and Saudi Arabia’s Salef Al Saif led the FIA T4 section in his Can Am with eighth.

Qatar ’s Rashid Al Mohannadi and Lebanon’s Ahmad Khaled rounded off the top 10. Shadi El-Fakih and MERC 3 leader Henry Kahy were 11th and 12th.

Ahmed Al Mohannadi led the Qatar National Rally at the end of the day by 53.2 seconds in his Can-Am from Khalid Al Mohannadi. Qatar-based Ahmed Allouh and Lebanon’s Jad Aawar were third and fourth.

Numerous time penalties were handed out after the super special stage on Friday evening for jump-starts and cone hitting misdemeanours on the tight asphalt test. Meeke was awarded 10 seconds for a jump-start and 15 for cone hitting, which dropped him to fourth. Al Attiyah didn’t escape the might of officialdom either and the Qatari was handed 10 seconds for a jump-start.

Nevertheless, the defending champion headed to the start of the 20.13km Eraida desert

stage with a 2.7-second advantage over Abdulaziz Al Kuwari. Khalid Al-Suwaidi had climbed to third and Meshari Al Thefiri slotted into fifth behind Meeke.

Al Attiyah laid down the gauntlet to his challengers from the outset and he beat Meeke by 6.5 seconds on the first pass through Eraida to extend his advantage to 14.9 seconds. Al Kuwari slotted into third and a 30-second gap appeared between the former rally winner and nearest rival Al Suwaidi in fourth.

Abdullah Al Rawahi (broken steering arm) and Jassim Al Muqahwi (mechanical) failed to complete the special and retired, as Al Thefiri continued to edge clear of his MERC 2 rivals, despite complaining of dust issues and reduced visi-bility on the stages.

Meeke earned his first ever MERC desert stage win in Al Thakira (20.34km) and trimmed Al-Attiyah ‘s lead to 13 seconds, as crews returned to Losail for the midday regroup and service. Mohamed Al Attiyah stopped at the start of a stage where Al

Kuwari and Al Suwaidi consol-idated third and fourth overall and Al Atya rounded off the top five.

Al Kuwari actually took a wrong slot in the special, after losing his way in Meeke’s dust,

and this cost him some seconds. Oman’s Zakariya Al Amri was excluded for taking a short cut on the stage.

Meeke continued his winning ways on the re-run of Eraida and another fastest time saw Al Attiyah’s advantage pegged back to 10.3 seconds. But Meeke damaged his Fabia after a heavy landing on the last test of the day and gifted a com-fortable lead to the Qatari.

This weekend’s Qatar Inter-national Rally is being held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari and the QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al Hamad.

Today, drivers face two more difficult loops of three northerly desert stages on the final leg. The opening special at Al Khor (18.30km) gets pro-ceedings underway at 08.35hrs and precedes the QMMF stage (22.02km) and Ras Laffan (21.39km), starting at 09.55hrs and 10.45hrs, respectively.

After regroup and service at the Losail Sports Arena, the three timed tests are repeated at 12.05hrs, 12.45hrs and 13.25hrs. The rally then con-cludes with the post-event press conference (19.15hrs) and the ceremonial finish (19.45hrs) at Katara.

Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani

2021 Qatar National Rally 1. Ahmed Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Mubarak Al Khulaifi (QAT)

Can-Am Maverick X3 (T3) - 56min 12.8sec2. Khalid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Kirill Shubin (RUS) Polaris RXR

1000 (T3) - 57min 06.0sec3. Ahmed Allouh (QAT)/Firas Allouh (QAT) Can-Am Maverick

X3 (T3) - 58min 04.4sec4. Jad Al Aawar (LEB)/Vicken Kanledjian (LEB) Can-Am

Maverick X3 (T4) - 1hr 01min 30.2sec

2021 Qatar International Rally (Top 5)

1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 - 44min 57.6sec2. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari (QAT)/James Fulton (IRL) Škoda Fabia R5 Evo - 46min 38.2sec3. Khalid Al Suwaidi (QAT)/Hugo Magalhães (POR) Škoda Fabia R5 - 47min 09.8sec4. Nasser Khalifa Al Atya (QAT)/Georges Nader (LEB) Ford Fiesta R5 - 51min 57.2sec

5. Meshari Al Thefiri (KWT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X (MERC 2) - 53min 51.1sec

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Defending regional champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah in action at Qatar International Rally yesterday.

Ahmed Al Mohannadi leads the Qatar National Rally at the end of the day by 53.2 seconds.

Al Duhail coach vows all-out effort at FIFA Club World CupFAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Al Duhail may be facing an uphill task at next week’s FIFA Club World Cup Qatar but coach Sabri Lamouchi (pictured) feels the Red Knights can get good results provided they avail scoring opportunities and the players give their 100 per cent.

The reigning QNB Stars League (QSL) champions - representing hosts Qatar - will meet African champions Al Ahly SC in the second round match of the six-team event at Education City Stadium on February 4.

Al Ahly arrived in Doha on Friday night. Al Ahly SC, the Egyptian giants qualified

for the tournament by winning a record ninth CAF Champions League title, and Al Duhail coach admitted a tough task lies ahead for his side.

“It will be a very difficult match. Al Ahly have a lot of experience of playing top tour-naments. They have majority of players who also play for Egypt’s national team,” Lam-ouchi said in an interview.

The Frenchman, however, said Al Duhail have a chance to earn good results in the tournament with a positive approach. “We must take advantage of all our chances and

all players will have to give their best. We must stay focused,” said Lamouchi. “Our preparations are good and the team is looking to do well,” he added.

Formed in 2017 with the merger of former Qatar football giants Lekhwiya and El Jaish, Al Duhail will make a debut at the FIFA Club World Cup and the French coach said it is an honour to represent Qatar in such an esteemed tournament.

“I just want to tell the club’s fans that we are proud and it is a great honour for us to represent Qatar in this competition and we will do every-thing we can to honour Qatari football and delight the sports and Al Duhail fans,” Lamouchi said in the interview posted on the club’s website.

The Frenchman was also confident that the Qatar football officials will hold the tour-nament in a befitting manner under difficult circum-stances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I don’t event need to talk about it. Qatar has been organising many big tournaments with huge success. Not just football, they are hosting championships in other games also in an amazing fashion,” he said.

Speaking on the new signing Michael Olunga, who fired a hat-trick in 6-0 rout of Al Ahli in the Amir Cup Round of 16 last week, Lamouchi termed the star Kenyan striker a great addition to the team.

“Michael Olunga has just arrived and we welcome him. He needs time to adapt with us,” said Lamouchi.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly SC manager Pitso Mosimane hoped to get good fan support for his side, which arrived in Doha on Friday.

“We are delighted to be in Qatar for this exciting tournament. There are

many Al Ahly fans in Doha – and we are looking forward to having their support

in our match against Al Duhail,” said Mosimane.

The winner of the match between Al Duhail and Al

Ahli will face European champions Bayern

Munich in the semi-final on February 8.

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Al Sadd coach Xavi and striker Bounedjah bag QSL honoursTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez has been named as QNB Stars League’s (QSL) Best Coach while the Wolves striker Baghdad Bounedjah was picked as Best Player for the month of January, 2021.

Under Xavi, Al Sadd played four matches and won all of them to collect the maximum 12 points.

The Wolves beat Al Kharaitiyat 5-0 in Week 12, Al Sailiya 8-0 in Week 13, Al Duhail 3-1 in Week 14 and Al Khor 7-0 in Week 15.

During the period, Al Sadd scored 23 goals while conceding just one and they are now leading the QNB Stars League table with 41 points as the tournament has taken a break after 15 rounds of action.

Meanwhile, Bounedjah scored 11 goals and gave three assists in four matches during the period.

The technical analysis of Bounedjah released by STATS, the official statistics and figures provider for the QNB Stars League, showed he scored all his goals from inside the box.

Bounedjah has been a prolific scorer for Al Sadd for a few seasons now and is leading the 2020-21 season QNB Stars League chart with 17 goals.

The QSL will resume on February 13 following a break due to Amir Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

07SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2021SportAl Qadi guides flawless Gibria-B to Big Tour winTHE PENINSULA - DOHA

Popular Qatari rider Hamad Nasser Al Qadi yesterday produced a slick ride with Gibria-B to win Big Tour title on day two of the ninth round of the 2020-2021 Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab.

The 10-year-old mare clocked a time of 73.86secs in the 130/145cm premier class as Al Qadi won the top prize of QR 12,375.

Gibria-B was the only entry without faults during the high profile competition staged at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) headquarters.

Hamad also secured the second spot, astride Electra B in a time of 75.20secs. Electra B stumbled with 4 faults as Al Qadi won QR 9,000.

Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, who was competing with Andreas SPB Z, managed to post the third fastest time of 76.05secs (4 faults).

Saeed won QR 6,750. Quel Homme, who had

Nasser Al Ghazali in the saddle (4 faults, 78.46secs QR 4,500) and Casal Des Forets, who was ridden by Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi (4 faults, 78.77secs, QR 3,150) completed the top five out of 11 entries

Earlier in the Open Class, Mohammed Jabor Al Naimi guided Naville Z to a slick win in the 115/125cm contest. Naville Z clocked a time of 28.92secs in the second phase as Al Naimi won the top prize of QR 6,250.

Salmeen Sultan Al Suwaidi, astride Guilder’s Empire Of The Sun, clinched the second spot in a time of 29.57secs following a flawless routine

at the QEF Outdoor Arena. Al Suwaidi won QR 5,000.

Mohammed Saeed Haidan along with his ride Apple Bee settled for the third spot. Apple Bee also managed a flawless routine for a time of 30.18secs in the second phase as Haidan won QR 3,750.

Fiji, who had Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi in the saddle, (30.76secs, QR 2,500) and Zorro Z, who was ridden by Salman Mohammed Al Emadi

(30.99secs, QR 1,750) completed the top five riders from a field of 31 entries.

Omar Al Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, yesterday crowned the winners of the Open Class.

Ali bin Yusef Al Rumaihi, Director of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab, crowned the first three riders in the Big Tour.

The hugely popular series, now into its fourth season, is backed by the Social and Sports Con-tribution Fund.

The top three riders in the Open Class are seen with Omar Al Mannai, Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab, at QEF’s Outdoor Arena yesterday. Mohammed Jabor Al Naimi guided Naville Z to Open Class win.

Qatar Equestrian Federation announces 2021 Amir’s Sword Championship

THE PENINSULA - DOHA

The Amir’s Sword Championship, a prestigious equestrian competition jointly organized by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, will take place from February 18-20, at QEF’s Indoor and Outdoor Arenas, this was announced yesterday.

It will open on the first day with the Future Riders category followed by show jumping and dressage over the remaining two days of the event, QEF confirmed yesterday.

Staying true to Qatar’s vision to promote sports among the country’s youth, the category of Future Riders specifically caters for children aged six and above.

The event show jumping category classifications of Small, Medium and Big Tours refer to the height of the horses com-peting, while the dressage categories of Level 1 Medium and Level 2 Prelim refer to the com-plexity of the movements performed by the com-binations of horse and rider.

Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, Pres-ident of QEF & Modern Pentathlon, said in a statement released yesterday: “As organizers, we have always been very happy with the high quality of this event and the level of competition it delivers. It has always been our aim to achieve the very best for the Amir’s Sword. We are glad that we have done that and we will continue to strive to achieve this. Qatar has a rich and proud equestrian heritage and the Amir’s Sword bears testament to this.”

Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19

precautionary measures will be strictly enforced to ensure the safety and well-being of partici-pants, equestrian fans, and all who are involved with the three-day event, QEF said.

Last year in February, promising Qatari rider Salman Mohammed Al Emadi bagged the biggest win of his career when he guided The Toymaker to the Amir’s Sword title glory at Outdoor Arena of QEF. The popular Qatari rider walked with the Amir’s Sword and a the key to a brand new Lexus after The Toymaker managed a time of 60.12 seconds against the clock following a time of 79.70 seconds in the first round.

Just when it mattered, Al Emadi produced a speedy routine with the 15-year-old gelding (1 fault) as a huge crowd roared on from the stands in the 135/145cm battle.

Salman Mohamed Al Emadi celebrates with Medium Tour top three finishers during the 2020 Amir’s Sword Championship at the Qatar Equestrian Federation’s Outdoor Arena in this February 2020 file photo.

Superior Moment shines at Al Uqda, Umm Bab makes historyTHE PENINSULA - DOHA

Abdulaziz Jassim Al Buainain’s Superior Moment (Pivotal x Superior Charm) yesterday won for the second time this season when he landed the finale at the dirt track of the newly opened Al Uqda Equestrian Complex.

Schooled by Zuhair Mohsen, the 4yo colt was kept on the rails by Sou-fiane Saadi after the start from Gate 3 in the Thoroughbred Handicap (70-80).

On the home straight in the six furlong sprint, the bay colt was in the front alongside many of his rivals after the field widened.

However, in the final furlong, the colt took the advantage and drove home to victory by a length and three quarters to spare.

Marco Casamento rode Owaida Salem Al Hajri trained Doha Incanto to second place, while Faleh Bughanaim guided Hamad Al Jehani schooled Warsaan to third place finish yesterday.

Abdullah Nasser Al Attiya’s Ras Mlaejy (Pivotal x Sumorta) bounced back from a forgettable finish last time round on his season debut in November.

The rest since then seems to have done the Hossin Ashour-saddled 10yo a world of good as the chestnut won for the first time in almost three years.

Helmed by Carlos Henrique for the first time, the horse opened his run

wide from Gate 13 but did well to exploit his weight advantage, having carried 55kgs, to win the 2200m Thor-oughbred Handicap (70 & below) by a length and three quarters as JP Guil-lambert rode Barbarous Relic to second place.

H E Sheikha Iman Bint Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Saad (Munjiz x

Massroura) made a handsome debut at Al Uqda’s dirt track yesterday. Trained by Julian Colin Smart, the 4yo had Francois Herholdt in the saddle in the 2000m Local Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate.

The grey colt went astray going wide coming off the final bend after tracking early leader Al Hoot for the bulk of the race.

However, the jockey managed to keep Saad in line on outer rails to beat Ronan Thomas ridden Bakir, trained by Alban Elie De Mieulle, by a length at the post.

Al Gaiah Stud’s Fajr (No Risk Al Maury x Al Anqa) landed his first career victory when he landed the Purebred Arabian Handicap (75 & below) in fine fashion yesterday.

Helmed by apprentice jockey Khalid Al Balushi, the Khaled Mohamad Alahmad trained 7yo bounced back from forgettable outing earlier this month at Al Rayyan Park when he fin-ished tenth, to win the 1300m run on dirt with a length to spare.

Ali Khalid Al Mosallam rode Badira to runner up place.

Injaaz Stud’s Cotai Again (Kodiac

x Incessant) had not finished higher than fourth since arrival in Qatar last year.

However, that changed for the Gassim Ghazali trained gelding yesterday at the Al Uqda facility as Marco Casamento guided the 4yo to the bay horse’s first win in 14 starts.

In the 1300m Thor-oughbred Maiden Plate, Cotai Again pulled away a furlong out on the home straight and was unstoppable as he won the affair with three lengths to spare.

Noora Racing Limited’s Umm Bab (AF AlBahar x Djelfa CS) made history winning the first race ever at the new Al Uqda Equestrian Complex yesterday, herself building on the promise she

had shown on her debut in November at Al Rayyan Park to shed her maiden status in comfortable fashion.

Helmed by Carlos Henrique, the Alban Elie De Mieulle trained filly tracked early leaders in the 1300m Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate before Henrique got his mount to up the pace.

As the field jostled for advantage on the home straight, Umm Bab managed to take a advantage 100m out and then went past the post one-and-a-half lengths in front of Michael Forest ridden Starlit D’Ibos.

Soufiane Saadi, astride Superior Moment, winner of TB Handicap First Al Uqda Cup, at the newly opened Al Uqda Equestrian Complex.

WINNERSHorse, Trainer, Jockey

THOROUGHBRED HANDICAPSuperior Moment (IRE), Zuhair

Mohsen, Soufiane SaadiTHOROUGHBRED HANDICAPRas Mlaejy (IRE), Hossin Ashour,

Carlos HenriqueLOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN

MAIDEN PLATESaad (QA), Julian Colin Smart,

Francois HerholdtPUREBRED ARABIAN

HANDICAPFajr (FR), Khaled Mohamad Alahmad, Khalid Al Balushi

THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE

Cotai Again (IRE), Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento

PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE

Umm Bab (USA), Alban Elie De Mieulle, Carlos Henrique

2020-2021 Longines Qatar Equestrian Tour Hathab

Open Class, Two phases, Art. 274.1.5.3 | 115/125 cm | Prize Money QR25,000NAVILLE Z Mohammed Jabor AL NAIMI 0 46.61 0 28.92 QR 6,250

GUILDER’S EMPIRE OF THE SUN Salmeen Sultan AL SUWAIDI 0 46.00 0 29.57 QR 5,000APPLE BEE Mohammed Saeed HAIDAN 0 45.74 0 30.18 QR 3,750

FIJI Khalid Mohammed AL EMADI 0 43.37 0 30.76 QR 2,500ZORRO Z Salman Mohammed AL EMADI 0 46.30 0 30.99 QR 1,750

Big Tour, One round against the clock, Art. 238.2.1 | 130/145cm | Prize Money QR45,000GIBRIA-B Hamad Nasser AL QADI 0 73.86 QR 12,375ELECTRA B Hamad Nasser AL QADI 4 75.20 QR 9,000

ANDREAS SPB Z Saeed Nasser AL QADI 4 76.05 QR 6,750QUEL HOMME Nasser AL GHAZALI 4 78.46 QR 4,500

CASAL DES FORETS Mubarak Yousuf AL RUMAIHI 4 78.77 QR 3,150

United lose ground in title race, drawing 0-0 with ArsenalLONDON - AP

Manchester United lost vital ground in the title race after drawing 0-0 against Arsenal in the Premier League yesterday.

United had a string of clear chances throughout the match, but the visitors couldn’t convert and grab the three points. Instead, the Red Devils dropped two and remained in second place with 41 points, three behind rival Man-chester City at the top.

And to make matters worse, City yesterday

was able to do what United couldn’t on Wednesday - beat bottom side Sheffield United.

Arsenal extended its unbeaten run to seven matches and moved up a place to eighth with 31 points. United had the bulk of chances in the first half, with Fred’s shot from the edge of the area drawing a fingertip save from Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 20th. Midfielder Bruno Fern-andes also came close a few times, including a free kick just outside the area before halftime. The ball looked like it would just clear the wall and was headed toward goal, but David Luiz

headed the ball backward and over the crossbar. The visitors had other chances, but poor finishing and good defending by Arsenal stymied United.

Juventus see off Sampdoria to climb to third in the tableREUTERS GENOA, ITALY

Federico Chiesa’s first-half goal and a stoppage-time Aaron Ramsey finish earned Juventus a 2-0 victory at Sampdoria in Serie A yesterday, with

the win sending Andrea Pirlo’s side third in the standings. In pouring rain in Genoa, Chiesa got on the end of a fine move to put Juventus in front after 20 minutes.

Without a goal in his previous two league games, Cristiano Ronaldo endured a frustrating first half, missing several chances while also being denied by some last-ditch Sampdoria defending.

After the break, Sampdoria pressed for an equaliser, but Juve stood firm, and added a late second through Welshman Ramsey as the hosts were caught on the counter in the 91st minute.

Hamad Nasser Al Qadi astride Gibria-B in action.