QATAR SENIOR MEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE: Al Wakrah beat Al Sadd Sports Club 82-69; Al Arabi Sports Club beat Al Khor 74-68

MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020

Cummins hoping for life in second Test wicketI thought the Ashes Test (in 2017) and the Indian Test at the MCG a couple of years ago were pretty flat and boring wickets as a bowler. Last year against New Zealand it was a really good wicket. It has a bit of sideways and pace and bounce. Hopefully it will be much the same.

Sport |09

CumIMagH

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins

Sport

AFC chief applauds Qatar’s readiness to host 2022 World CupQNA – DOHA

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said that the inauguration of the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium to become the fourth fully operational FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament venue confirms the State of Qatar’s readiness to host the World Cup for the first time in the Middle East.

The AFC chief attended the inau-guration of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday as the stadium hosted the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Arabi (Al Sadd won 2-1).

The AFC President also paid tribute to this years centralised host the Qatar Football Association and the Qatar Government and hailed the

efforts of the medical team in Qatar. The AFC President added: “On

behalf of the Asian football family, I want to underline our gratitude once again to the Qatar Football Associ-ation, the Qatar Authorities and all our participating clubs. It was an incredible team effort that showcased the unity and solidarity of Asian football.

“I must also thank our broadcast partners, our loyal sponsors as well as the media and our passionate fans, so many of whom continue to be engaged in record numbers.

“And finally, but most importantly, to the medical team in Qatar, our doctors, and front liners as well as the delegation in Qatar. Our achievements would not have been possible without you and this success is a tribute to all

of you who have shown great resolve and commitment.

“Today, we celebrate the best of Asian club football, but we also salute your remarkable spirit and sacrifice.”

Also, the AFC President congrat-ulated Ulsan Hyundai for winning the AFC Champions League title and said: “On behalf of the AFC and Asian football family, I would like to con-gratulate both Persepolis and Ulsan Hyundai for producing a memorable night of spectacular football.

“Ulsan Hyundai deserve our praise for showcasing outstanding quality and I would like to congratulate eve-ryone, from the players, officials as well as the backroom staff, all of those working behind the scenes for their

resilience and commitment.“This has been a chal-

lenging year for eve-ryone across the world of football, and the AFC is proud to have successfully and safely delivered the AFC Champions League 2020 for the benefit of our clubs and Member A s s o c i a -tions.”

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“This has been a chal-lenging year for eve-ryone across the world of football,and the AFC is proud to havesuccessfully and safely delivered theAFC Champions League 2020 for thebenefit of our clubs and MemberA s s o c i a -tions.”

On behalf of the Asian football

family, I want to underline our

gratitude once again to the

Qatar Football Association, the

Qatar Authorities and all our

participating clubs. It was an

incredible team effort that

showcased the unity and

solidarity of Asian

football: AFC

President Shaikh

Salman bin

Ebrahim

Al Khalifa

Hellenistique, Lady Princess land Derby winsTHE PENINSULA – DOHA

Injaaz Stud’s Hellenistique made a spectacular debut in Qatar landing the Qatar Derby (QA Gr1) (Far Bend) (3 Year Olds) in thrilling fashion at Al Rayyan Park on the final day of the Qatar International Derby Festival.

At Al Rayyan Park, Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali crowned the winners. The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi and the Chairman of the Qatar and Asian Eques-trian Federations and Vice Chairman of QREC, Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah were also present during the trophy presentation ceremony.

In the feature event of the festival, Saddled by Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki, the Hel-lenistique stayed at the back of the pack early on in the 2000m run on turf, before Marco Casa-mento had the bay horse move outside and steadily up the order coming off the final bend. As Hellenistique took the lead in the closing stages of the feature, another Zuhair Mohsen ward, King Pacha, ridden by Julien Auge in the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, followed but eventually could only manage second three lengths behind the winner. Gassim Mohammad Ghazali trained Sir Arthur Dayne, helmed by Jason Watson in the colours of Al Kuwari, fin-ished third.

Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess, second in the Qatar Derby last season, landed the Purebred Arabian feature Qatar Derby (Gr2 PA) (Far Bend) (Purebred Arabians 4 Year Olds) com-fortably. Runner up behind Umm Qarn’s Jabalah last year, Thomas Fourcy’s ward, ridden by Julien Auge, reversed the order of the top two this time round as the Amir Silver Sword topper bagged the 2000m run with two and three quarters of a length to spare at the post.

H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Methgal, saddled by Julian Colin Smart, completed the top three under Alberto Sanna.

Umm Qarn’s Antar stayed unbeaten in Qatar, winning his second straight outing at Al Rayyan Park in the Qatar Derby (Gr3 PA) (Far Bend) (Purebred Arabians 3 Year Olds Only). The mile long run saw Ronan Thomas giving a go-ahead to Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle’s ward 200m from the finish and Antar was soon in the

lead but being pursued by French raider HM Jalfane, ridden by Auge in the colours of Abdullah bin Fahad Al Attiyah for Thomas Fourcy. Antar was able to keep his lead as Auge and his partner could only manage second by half a length. Hassan Ali Alabdulmalik’s Tarek Du Soleil, ridden by Faleh Bughanaim for Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain, was third.

Meanwhile, Umm Qarn’s Equinoxe led a spectacular one-two for the colours and the trainer De Mieulle in the Qatar Derby (Far Bend) (3 Year Olds Local TB). With Ronan Thomas in the saddle, the local Thor-oughbred Guineas winner from last month and stablemate Dream Boy, helmed by Soufiane Saadi, led the field coming on to the home straight in the 1850m run. Equinoxe surged forward easing past Dream Boy to win by five lengths, as Dream Boy held on for a runner up finish. Sheikh

Abdulla

Thani Al Thani’s Al Hindi, trained by Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, was third under JP Guillambert.

Earlier, Saeed bin Mubarak Saeed Aljafali Al Naimi’s Wilyan made light work of a step up in distance in the mile-long Local Purebred Arabian Plate (3 Year Olds) (Far Bend). The colt took went past the post five lengths in front of the rivals.

Al Jeryan S t u d ’ s

Hajaj had showed promise on his last two outings over a mile finishing in the frame. In yester-day's Thoroughbred Handicap (Class 3) (Far Bend) (75-95), the Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani schooled 6yo raced to his first v i c t o r y

since March 2019. Sanna nudged his bay mount forward 100m from the post, and Hajaj duly obliged, grabbing the lead on a bunch of rivals,

and winning by one and a quarter length.

Dhafi Rashid Al Marri’s Dukhan (Local Thoroughbred Handicap - Far Bend - 80 & below), ridden by Luca Maniezzi, Al Jeryan Stud’s Harry Hotspur (Thoroughbred Maiden Plate - Class 6) with Alexander Reznikov in the saddle, and Injaaz Stud’s Rodina (Local Purebred Arabian Handicap - 70 & below), ridden by Qatari rider Saleh Salem Al Marri, also won t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e

e v e n t s yesterday.

Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman of the Qatar and Asian Equestrian Federations and Vice Chairman of QREC, Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah with the members of the Gr1 QA Qatar Derby for 3YO winner, Injaaz Stud's Hellenistique during the presentation ceremony. RIGHT: Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki celebrates as Hellenistique wins the Qatar Derby (QA Gr1) (Far Bend) (3 Year Olds).

RESULTSQATAR DERBY (QA Gr1) (Far Bend)

Horse: Hellenistique (FR), Trainer: Zuhair Mohsen Zuhair Maki, Jockey:

Marco CasamentoQATAR DERBY (Gr2 PA) (Far Bend)

Lady Princess (FR), Thomas Fourcy,Julien Augé

QATAR DERBY (Gr3 PA) (Far Bend)Antar (FR), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle,

Ronan ThomasQATAR DERBY (Far Bend)

Equinoxe (QA), Alban Elie Marie De Mieulle, Ronan Thomas

LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP

Rodina (QA), Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, Saleh Salem Al-Marri

THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6)

Harry Hotspur (IRE), Rashid Al Ali, Alexander Reznikov

LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Far Bend)

Dukhan (QA), Mohammed Hussain Afroz, Luca Maniezzi

THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) (Far Bend)

Hajaj (IRE), Hadi Nasser Rashid Al Ramzani, Alberto Sanna

LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Far Bend)

Wilyan (QA), Majed Mahadi Seifeddine, Alberto Sanna

08MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020SportFederer training, committed to playing Australian Open: TileyAFP — MELBOURNE

All the world’s top players, including 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer (pictured), are expected to be in Melbourne for the coronavirus-disrupted Australian Open, tournament organiser Craig Tiley said.

The opening Grand Slam of the year, in front of at least 50 percent of normal crowds, has been pushed back three weeks until February 8 with all players to undergo a man-datory 14-day quarantine on arrival.

The delay could be pivotal for Federer, who admitted last week he was in a “race against time” to be fit as his recovery from two rounds of knee surgery takes longer than expected.

Tiley said he had been in touch with the 39-year-old and he was going through his normal preseason training routine in Dubai.

“Every player, including Roger, has made a commitment to travel to Melbourne to play,” he said after confirming the new start date on Saturday.

“We have been in touch with him and his team and it’s been three days now, he’s hit for the first time in Dubai. He’s in his normal pre-season training routine.

“He did say to us that February 8 was a more suitable date for him in terms of preparing for the

Australian Open,” Tiley added. “But a lot will depend on how he responds to his surgery in the next two to three weeks of training.”

Federer has won the Australian Open six times. But after losing in the semi-finals to Novak Djokovic, missed the rest of the Covid-inter-rupted 2020 season following surgery and could only watch as Rafael Nadal matched his record 20 Grand Slam titles with a 13th victory at the French Open.

The men’s and women’s quali-fiers will be held in Doha and Dubai respectively from January 10-13, with players arriving in Melbourne from January 15 on

special charter flights for their quarantine.

Tiley said they would constantly be tested for Covid-19 but allowed to train for five hours a day in a bio-secure bubble, although with just one other player.

They will be shuttled between designated hotels and Melbourne Park, where the tournament is held and if anyone tests positive, they will need to isolate in their room.

“If there are any breaches (of quar-antine) the player will be immediately removed from the country as well as being fined,” Tiley warned.

A slimmed-down, 12-team ATP Cup, the relocated Adelaide International, and a ATP 250 tournament will all be played in Melbourne once players are out of isolation.

T w o W T A

500 tournaments are also planned to be held concurrently at Melbourne Park on January 31-February 7.

Melbourne only emerged from a months-long lockdown in October following a second wave of COVID-19, complicating planning for the Grand Slam and how to allow so many players and support staff to

enter the country safely.Australia has largely

contained the corona-virus although a

new outbreak in Sydney over recent days has sparked fresh restrictions in parts of the city

and even state border closures.

Every player, including

Roger, has made a

commitment to travel to

Melbourne to play. We have

been in touch with him and

his team and it’s been three

days now, he’s hit for the

first time in Dubai. He’s in his

normal preseason training

routine.

Craig Tiley

Tournament Organiser

“But onds hree

liang in

ovic,ter-

wingh asd 20tory

ali-nd y

designated hotels and MelbournePark, where the tournament is held and if anyone tests positive, they will need to isolate in their room.

“If there are any breaches (of quar-antine) the player will be immediately removed from the country as well as beingfined,” Tiley warned.

A slimmed-down,12-team ATP Cup, the relocated AdelaideInternational, and a ATP250 tournament will allbe played in Melbourne e once players are out of f isolation.

T w oW T A

so many players and support staff toenter the country safely.

Australia has largelycontac ined the corona-

virus although anew on utbreak inSydney overrecent days hassparked freshrestrictions inpparts of the city

and even stateborder closures.

s

REUTERS — NEW YORK

Matt Kuchar and his 13-year-old son, Cameron, birdied 10 of their first 11 holes to deliver a 14-under 58 and grab the first-round lead in the PNC Champi-onship on Saturday at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida.

The duo combined for a total of 14 birdies, including streaks on Nos. 1-6 and 8-11, to take a two-stroke lead over Team Singh, featuring Vijay and his son Qass, who made their 14th start in the annual winter team event that pairs a professional player with a family member.

The two-day event is a scramble format that allows both team members to hit a tee shot and then select the preferred shot, from where they play the next shot. This procedure continues until the hole is completed Tiger Woods, making his PNC Championship debut, part-nered with 11-year-old son Charlie and posted a 10-under 62 to tie for sixth place with five other teams including World No. 3 Justin

Thomas, who is paired with his father and coach, Mike.

“He hit some of the most incredible golf shots,” said Woods regarding Charlie. “It was an absolute blast.... We had so much fun being around one another and cheering one another on. It was the most perfect environment.

“First and foremost, I’m dad. There is that competitive spirit that Charlie and I both share. We want to win, but being competitive and being with each other and leaning on one another, it was an absolute blast.”

“I knew what he had,” said Mike Thomas, who has

played with Charlie previ-ously. “He was impressive. Very impressive.”

Sitting in a tied for third at 11 under are Team Norman (Greg and son Greg Jr.), Team Lehman (Tom and son Sean) and Team Duval (David and son Brady).

Also tied a 10 under are Team O’Meara (Mark and son Shaun), Team Trevino (Lee, 81, and son Daniel), Team Furyk (Jim and son Tanner) and Team Daly (John and son Little John).

Defending champion Bernhard Langer, who won the 2019 event with son, Jason, opened with 9-under 63 playing with daughter, Jackie.

Tiger Woods of the United States and Charlie Woods warm up on the range prior to the final round of the PNC Championship.

Team Kuchar leads as Tiger and cub lurk at PNC Championship

Matt Kuchar looks on from the range during the first round of the PNC Championship.

NBA: Westbrook debuts for Wizards in win over DetroitAP — WASHINGTON

Russell Westbrook made his Washington Wizards debut. Nikola Vucevic pushed Orlando out to a fast start against the Charlotte Hornets.

And, the Atlanta Hawks won a free-throw shooting contest against the Memphis Griz-zlies in which 59 fouls were called.

In the last night of the NBA preseason, Westbrook played his first game for Wash-ington after coming over from Houston in the John Wall trade and got hot near the end of the first quarter, hitting a layup, a 15-footer and a 22-footer to give the Wizards a 31-27 lead.

Westbrook, a former MVP and nine-time all star, did not play in the second half, as was planned before the game. He sat out the first two Wizards preseason games to rest.

WIZARDS 99, PISTONS 96In Washington, Westbrook finished with

eight points in 17 minutes, Thomas Bryant scored 22 and Bradley Beal added 15 for the Wizards.

Jerami Grant and Derrick Rose each scored 14 for the Pistons. Josh Jackson had 13 points, and Detroit got 11 apiece from Blake Griffin, Killian Hayes and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.

In the first half, Detroit committed 15 turn-overs that led to 17 points for Washington, but had just five miscues in the second. The Wizards led by 14 at halftime.

MAGIC 120, HORNETS 117In Orlando, Charlotte started the fourth

quarter hot and took a 96-94 lead on Caleb Martin’s 3-pointer. Chuma Okeke and Michael Carter-Williams hit consecutive layups to put Orlando up 111-107, but Malik Monk hit a basket and Javin DeLaurier made a 3 to give the Hornets a 115-111 lead.

Devin Cannady’s 3 and Cole Anthony’s floater put the Magic up 118-117 with 14.1 seconds remaining. Anthony followed with a pair of free throws, and Charlotte’s Xavier Sneed missed a 3 at the buzzer.

HAWKS 117, GRIZZLIES 116In Memphis, Brandon Goodwin gave the

Hawks their first lead of the game with a 14-footer that made it 111-109 with 2:02 remaining. The Hawks never trailed the rest of the way.

Memphis led by as many as 19 on De’Anthony Melton’s 3 with 5:36 left in the third.

Atlanta pulled within six early in the third on Trae Young’s floater, but that was as close as the Hawks could get until Solomon Hill hit a short jumper to cap a 16-0 run and make it 105-all with 4:02 remaining.

Sean McDermott’s tip-in put the Grizzlies up 109-107, and Nathan Knight followed with a layup for Atlanta to make it 109-all with 2:28 left.

Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up the floor in the first half against the Detroit Pistons.

Alvarez defeats Smith to claim two titlesAFP — LOS ANGELES

Mexican pound-for-pound champ Saul Alvarez ended the longest layoff of his career on Saturday, brutally overpow-ering the previously unbeaten Callum Smith to capture two super middleweight titles with a unanimous decision in Texas.

Three-division champion Alvarez claimed the vacant WBC title and Briton Smith’s WBA version of the 168-pound belt, overcoming a stark height difference as he moved up in weight class for the fight in front of a pandemic-limited crowd at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

“I feel really proud to have this,” Alvarez said.

“I represent not only the boxing world but my country. I did a great job after a 13-month layoff.

“I am the best in the world.”

Alvarez improved to 54-1-2 with 36 knockouts, while Smith suffered the first defeat of his pro career and

dropped to 27-1, 19 knockouts.Saturday’s victory

rekindles the possibility of a third fight between Alvarez and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, who lost to Alvarez in a con-troversial majority decision in Las Vegas in 2018.

The 30-year-old Alvarez showed he is one of the smartest fighters in the sport, adjusting on the fly and man-aging to get inside the long

reach of Smith to attack the body and head.

“I felt great at 168 pounds. This is one of the best nights for me,” said Alvarez.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has killed 315,000 people across the US in the past 11 months, organ-izers were forced to limit the crowd size but they still managed to get a permit to allow 15,000 people into the

32,000-seat venue. They saw Alvarez, who goes by the nickname “Canelo”, land every punch in his arsenal during the glorified sparring session with Smith whose busted up face and blood-spattered white trunks told the story.

Alvarez’s best punch was the right uppercut and he threw it with authority, imposing his will like he was

chopping down a tree. His best round was the ninth when he almost knocked Smith down -- the ropes the only thing holding the champ up.

All three judges gave almost every round to Alvarez with two scoring it 119-109 and the third 117-111.

The opening rounds were uneventful but Alvarez picked up the pace in the fourth landing solid combinations and doing the first bit of damage with the uppercut.

Alvarez put up solid defence as well, easily slipping punches and countering Smith’s jab.

Alvarez bloodied Smith’s nose and almost knocked him down with 84 seconds to go in the ninth, but the Eng-lishman survived the round.

Smith avoided Alvarez in the final round repeatedly looking up at the clock in a bid to finish the fight on his feet. Alvarez tried for a knockout as the crowd booed Smith for clinching and not throwing punches.

Saul Alvarez celebrates after defeating Callum Smith.

Decathlon: Kevin Mayer books early Olympics ticket

AFP SAINT - PAUL, FRANCE

Decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer booked his ticket for the Tokyo Olympics in a specially-arranged event on the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion.

Mayer, the French 2017 world champion, scored 8552 points, easily above the 8350 points set as the qual-ification standard by World Athletics.

The 28-year-old produced a per-sonal best of 13.54sec in the 110m hurdles to set up a solid performance.

The only nervous moment came on Friday when Mayer fouled his first attempt in the long jump before achieving a cautious 7.40m with his second jump.

“I’m relieved. It takes off a lot of pressure and a burden has been lifted,” he said after the competition in the French overseas territory.

Mayer won the silver medal behind American Ashton Eaton at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ashton has retired and will not be competing in Tokyo.

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

In keeping with the Qatar National Day celebrations, the Qatar Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon Federation, in coop-eration with the Horseback Archery Society conducted the qualification skills test for the first Horseback Archery Cham-pionship (Al Nashaab Champi-onship) which is to be held on December 28.

The organising committee comprising Ali bin Yousef Al Rumaihi, assistant Secretary-General, Qatar Equestrian Fed-eration, and Fuad Al Mudahka, President of Horseback Archery Society, oversaw the skills test which will see the final twelve horseback archers competing in the final. The referees’ com-mittee is headed by Adel Al Muhannadi.

Al Mudahka informed that the participation for the skills test was very good despite the newness of the sport in the country. “We had a very good skills qualification test where we

had sixteen horseback archers. They were divided into two groups of eleven and five. And out of these 13 have qualified for the final,” said Al Mudahka.

Notably among these, Muhammad Sultan Al Naama, Ali Hamad Al Athba and Rashid Al Dossary from Lekhwiya stood out with their horseback archery skills. Al Mudahka said there will be a rehearsal of the event ahead of the championship final on December 27th.

The organizing committee has allocated in-kind and financial prizes for the winners of the championship and extended thanks and appreciation to Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation.

They also thanked the great efforts made by the head of the organising committee of the championship, Ali Al-Rumaihi, which led to the provision of the venue for the championship and in providing media support to uncover this new sport in Qatar.

The next step would be to

lay down plans to develop and expand the horseback archery sport in the country and to hold more tours, depending on the success of the inaugural cham-pionship, the committee said.

During the qualification skills test, participants had to aim at targets from a horseback in a 90m arena. Participants need to have a passport for their horses, who must be vaccinated, and are required to clear a test before the event. Participants have to obtain a rider’s ID from the technical office of the QEF, organisers stressed. Junior riders must be in the 12-18 age

category, while riders intending to take part in the senior event should be 18 or above.

Entrants must wear the helmet and horse riding shoes over traditional wear and the horse must be over five-years-old. A maximum of two players may participate on one horse. Horseback archery is considered as one of the important upcoming sports activities in Qatar and has a traditional and cultural importance.

A team from the Horseback Archery Society, represented by Fuad Al Mudahka (Director of Foreign Medical Projects, Aspetar) and Abdulaziz Al Qahtani (Engineer at Qatar Petroleum), participated in the 15th edition of World Horse Shooting Championship in South Korea in 2019, where they achieved good results. The aim of the inaugural Al Nashaab Championship is to spot ama-teurs with talent and to hone their skills for their future par-ticipation in championships as pros.

AP – SYDNEY

Cricket Australia will consider swapping the third and fourth Tests of Australia’s cricket Test series against India due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney where the third Test is due to be played.

Australian media reported yes-terday CA officials have a contin-gency plan to switch the Sydney Test and the fourth Test in Brisbane if the outbreak worsens. Officials currently are confident the Sydney Test can go ahead as planned from Jan. 7.

If the Tests are swapped, the Sydney Test will be played from Jan. 15 to 19.

A total of 30 new COVID infec-tions were reported in Sydney yes-terday all associated with an out-break in the city’s northern beach suburbs. The new cases caused the New South Wales state gov-ernment to impose fresh restric-tions on public and private gatherings.

CA’s coronavirus working group was due to meet Sunday to

discuss the Sydney outbreak and its impact on the Test series.

“The third Test is more than two-and-a-half weeks away, which provides us with time to assess the evolving public health situation on the northern beaches of Sydney,” CA interim chief exec-utive Nick Hockley said.

The plan to swap the third and fourth Tests is being considered in case Queensland state closes its

border with New South Wales. That would mean players and tel-evision crews could not travel from Sydney to Brisbane between the third and fourth Tests.

Victoria state yesterday declared Sydney a hot spot and said it would close its borders from midnight to travellers from Aus-tralia’s largest city.

Australian Test opener David Warner beat the closure, flying by

private plane on Saturday from Sydney to Melbourne to isolate before joining the Australian team bubble ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Warner is recovering from a groin injury sustained late last month during the one-day inter-national series against India.

An alternative plan, to play consecutive Tests in Melbourne which will host the second Test from Dec. 26, exists but is thought unlikely because CA does not want to cancel the Sydney Test. The Sydney Test also could be moved to Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins said the Australian players are aware of the issues involving the Sydney outbreak and are con-fident Cricket Australia has matters under control.

“Of course, we have been chatting about that. Fingers crossed it doesn’t escalate too much,” Cummins said. “But Cricket Australia have been amazing with our medical staff.

09MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT

Seifert shines as New Zealand clinch Pakistan T20 seriesAFP – HAMILTON

Tim Seifert’s 84 not out trumped an unbeaten 99 by Mohammad Hafeez as New Zealand claimed the second Twenty20 against Pakistan by nine wickets in Hamilton yesterday to take the series with a game to spare.

The Black Caps chased down Pakistan’s 163 for six with four balls to spare, after winning the first game in Auckland by five wickets.

Kane Williamson, back in the side after paternity leave, hit the winning runs with a boundary to be not out 57 but said the game was all about the bowling of man-of-the-match Tim Southee and the batting of Seifert and Hafeez.

Seifert faced 63 balls for his 84, while Hafeez was in destructive form, which he attributed to taking up golf, as he plundered 99 from 57 deliveries while Southee restricted the remaining Pakistan batsmen with four for 21.

“It was a good surface, one that had a little bit for the bowlers and obviously if you could build partnerships you could gain some momentum,” Williamson said.

“It was really satisfying to get across the line. A fantastic knock by Seifert, a really good effort with the ball and obviously a bril-liant knock by Hafeez, the master.” Opener Seifert batted through the innings and although denied a century because of the quality of his partners, he did match his career-best 84 against India last year.

He put on 35 for the first wicket with Martin Guptill, who was out for 21, and shared in a 129-run stand with Williamson.

The 40-year-old Hafeez, out first ball in Auckland, was almost on his own for Pakistan with a career-best 99 which included 10 fours and five sixes.

It was his fourth half-century from six innings in the past year and he put the consistency down to taking up golf.

“I started golf last year and I realised the basics of the game are similar -- good balance, good base, good swing, good follow-through that really worked for my cricket in the last year,” he said.

Mohammad Rizwan’s 22 was the next best score for Pakistan and captain Shadab Khan put the lack of a decent total down to his players not adapting to New Zealand conditions.

“It’s not a technique issue,

we’re not used to the pitches and that’s why the conditions are a little bit difficult,” he said.

“We have young openers and

they will learn quickly, hopefully.” Tim Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with four for 21.

Cummins hoping for life in second Test wicketREUTERS – SYDNEY

Pat Cummins (pictured) said the Adelaide wicket had played a part in the humbling of India in the first test and the Australia paceman is hoping for another good track when the teams meet again in the second test in Melbourne on Dec. 26.

Cummins took 4-21, including the key wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood 5-8 to skittle India for 36 on Saturday and fire Australia to an eight-wicket victory and a 1-0

lead in the four-match series.Sideways movement from the

Adelaide track had aided the Australian cause, Cummins said, and he was hoping the Melbourne Cricket Ground

(MCG) wicket would have some life in it as well.

“I thought the Ashes Test (in 2017) and the Indian test at the MCG a couple of years ago were pretty flat and boring wickets as a

bowler,” said Cummins.“Last year against

New Zealand it was a really good wicket. It has

a bit of sideways and pace and bounce. Hopefully it will be much the same.

“I think not only a s a player but as a fan, they are the best wickets, when it is a good battle between bat and ball. You feel like if you do your skill well, you can have a big impact.”

CA mulls 3rd, 4th Test swap after COVID-19 spike

After Kohli exit, Shami injury adds to India’s woes Down UnderREUTERS – ADELAIDE

A potentially series-ending injury to seamer Mohammed Shami has jolted India’s bid to bounce back in the Test series against Australia, a task the tourists will have to accomplish without their talis-manic captain Virat Kohli.

Kohli will miss the last three Tests to attend the birth of his first child in India and he leaves behind a team smarting from their shellacking inside three days after being shot out for 36, India’s lowest innings total, in Adelaide.

As if that was not bad enough, Shami retired hurt after a painful blow to his bowling arm from a Pat Cummins bouncer.

“He was in a lot of pain, could hardly lift his arm,” Kohli said at the presentation ceremony, adding the team were awaiting Shami’s scan results.

Kohli’s departure also robs India of their batting mainstay as they try to stay afloat in the four-Test series under Ajinkya Rahane.

“I’d definitely have loved it for a fact if we had won this game, leaving with victory would have been great,” Kohli said in a virtual press conference on Saturday.

“Having said that, this is Test cricket. Anything can happen at any stage and I’m pretty confident that the team’s going to bounce back strongly in Melbourne.” Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared nine second-innings wickets between them to rout India with a fiery display of pace bowling in the day-night Test.

Kohli pointed to India’s first-innings score of 244 and tried to allay any fears his team mates might have about Australia’s formidable pace attack which also includes Mitchell Starc.

“The way we batted, it allowed them to look more potent than they probably were in the morning to be very honest because they bowled similar lengths in the first day as well,” the 32-year-old said.

PAKISTANM. Rizwan c Seifert b Southee ............................22

H. Ali c Williamson b Soutee ................................. 8

A. Shafique c&b Southee .......................................0

M. Hafeez not out .................................................99

S. Khan c Southee b Neesham .............................. 4

K. Shah c Guptill b Kuggeleijn ............................. 14

F. Ashraf c Williamson b Southee ........................ 4

I. Wasim not out ................................................... 10

Extras (lb2) ............................................................. 2

Total (six wickets; 20 overs) .......................163

Did not bat: Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.

Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Ali), 2-16 (Shafique), 3-33

(Rizwan), 4-56 (Khan), 5-119 (Shah), 6-133 (Ashraf)

Bowling: Boult 4-0-33-0, Southee 4-0-21-4, Jamie-

son 4-0-43-0, Kuggeleijn 3-0-33-0, Neesham 2-0-

10-1, Sodhi 3-0-21-1

NEW ZEALANDM. Guptill c Rauf b Ashraf .................................... 21

T. Seifert not out ....................................................84

K. Williamson not out .......................................... 57

Extras (w2) ............................................................. 2

Total (one wicket; 19.2 overs) ................... 164

Did not bat: Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James

Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi,

Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Guptill)

Bowling: Afridi 4-0-38-0 (1w), Rauf 4-0-39-0 (1w),

Ashraf 3.2-0-19-1, Riaz, 1-0-19-0, Khan 4-0-24-0,

Wasim 3-0-25-0

Toss: Pakistan

Result: New Zealand won by nine wickets

Series: New Zealand 2-0

Man of the match: Tim Southee (NZL

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand’s Tim Seifert plays a shot during the second T20 international match against Pakistan at

Seddon Park in Hamilton, yesterday.

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A horseback archer in action. Al Nashaab Horseback Archery event

rehearsal to be held on December 27

10 MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020SPORT

QOC Beach Games 2020 kick off THE PENINSULA – DOHA

The first edition of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games kicked off with the participation of more than 500 male and female athletes at Aspire Park, Doha yesterday.

QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain attended the opening cer-emony with a host of other key officials.

Beach games lovers and amateurs, invited by the QOC, take part in the Games which reflects the legacy of last year's ANOC Beach Games which took place at the Katara Beach.

The athletes are com-peting in four beach sports, namely football, handball, volleyball and 3x3 bas-ketball, as maximum 4 to 12 teams of men and women are allowed to par-ticipate in each sport.

The QOC Beach Games, as a community event, will help promote these sort of games inside the Qatari society, to keep the coun-try's unparalleled success after the 2019 ANOC Beach Games.

The event is one of the many community events and activities organised by the QOC annually to take all individuals of the society to greater standards of health and physical fitness.

The first edition of QOC Beach Games also receiving solid support from a number of local organisations, including Aspire Zone (official partner), along with the official sponsors, Vodafone Qatar, Sports Corner and Al Meera (as official supplier).

Decathlon WR holder Mayer books early Olympics ticketAFP – SAINT-PAUL, FRANCE

Decathlon world record holder Kevin Mayer booked his ticket for the Tokyo Olympics in a specially-arranged event on the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion yesterday.

Mayer, the French 2017 world champion, scored 8552 points, easily above the 8350 points set as the qualification standard by World Athletics.

The 28-year-old produced a personal best of 13.54sec in the 110m hurdles to set up a solid performance.

The only nervous moment came on Friday when Mayer fouled his first attempt in the long jump before achieving a cautious 7.40m with his second jump.

“I’m relieved. It takes off a lot of pressure and a burden has been lifted,” he said after the compe-tition in the French overseas territory.

Mayer won the silver medal behind American Ashton Eaton at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ashton has retired and will not be competing in Tokyo.

The Frenchman, whose world record stands at 9126 points, had to drop out of the 2019 world cham-pionships in Doha due to injury.

Even as Mayer was securing his place at the Games, 20-year-old Australian Ashley Moloney marked himself out as a potential rival for the Olympic title as he set an impressive first-day total of 4613 in the Queensland championships.

“I’ll burn him off,” Mayer said with a smile. “A decathlon lasts two days but he’s unbelievable. He’s light years ahead of me at that age, and even now.

“I like the challenge from these young guys but I’m going to try to hold onto my territory.”

Al Wakrah's Julius V Coles Jr. dribbles the ball as an Al Sadd player tries to block during their Qatar Basketball Federation Senior Men's League match played at Al Gharafa Indoor Court yesterday. Al Wakrah won the game 82-69. RIGHT: Al Khor's Quintrell Daron Thomas jumps to make an attempt to score against Al Arabi during their League match yesterday. Al Arabi defeated Al Khor 74-68.

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buenain posing for a photograph with the beach volleyball players and officials during the opening ceremony of the inaugural QOC Beach Games at Aspire Park, yesterday. BOTTOM: Yesterday's action.

Al Wakrah, Al Arabi win QBF League matches

AGCFF Forms Committee to visit Iraq and inspect its facilitiesQNA – DOHA

The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) yesterday discussed, during its meeting yesterday in Doha, all matters related to the organisation of the 25th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup.

The Vice President of the Arab Gulf Cup Federation Dr. Jassim bin Mohamed Al Shu-kaili, chaired the meeting, which was held at the Federation’s headquarters in Doha, in the presence of all members, either directly or through video conference.

In its meeting, the federation decided to form a committee to evaluate and study Iraq’s candidacy to host the Arabian Gulf Cup 25, and to form a committee to visit

Iraq and inspect its facilities during the coming period, after coordination between the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation and the Iraqi Football Association.

After completing the inspection, the committee will submit a report to the exec-utive office of the Arab Gulf Cup Federation that includes its observations and recom-mendations, so that its members can review and study the candidacy, to make sure that there are no deficiencies in the availability of the requirements and standards before taking its decision.

The Arabian Gulf Cup 25 tournament will be held in Dec. 2021 or Jan. 2022, according to the executive office of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation.

Members of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation during a meeting in Doha yesterday, where they discussed matters related to the organisation of the 25th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

RESULTS Brighton 1 (Welbeck 87) Sheffield United 1 (Bogle 63)Tottenham 0 Leicester 2 (Vardy 45+4, Alderweireld 59-og)Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2, 3, Fernandes 20, 70-pen, Lindelof 37, James 66) Leeds 2 (Cooper 41, Dallas 73)

FRENCH LIGUE 1 RESULTSLorient 0 Rennes 3 (Da Silva 23, Bourigeaud 70, Terrier 76)Brest 2 (Philippoteaux 57, Chardonnet 78) Montpellier 2 (Laborde 45, Delort 81)Dijon 0 Monaco 1 (Volland 15)Strasbourg 0 Bordeaux 2 (Pablo 38, Otavio 66)Nantes 1 (Traore 90+4) Angers 1 (Thomas 42)Saint-Etienne 2 (Moukoudi 8, Nordin 63) Nimes 2 (Ahlinvi 14, Ripart 56-pen)

SPANISH LA LIGA RESULTSCelta Vigo 2 (Mendez 19, 79) Alaves 0Granada 2 (Soldado 14-pen, 20) Real Betis 0

Manchester United thrash Leeds 6-2REUTERS – MANCHESTER

Scott McTominay and Bruno Fern-andes scored two each as Manchester United turned on the style, thumping Leeds United 6-2 at Old Trafford yesterday to move up to third in the Premier League.

United are now on 26 points, above Everton on goal difference and trail from leaders Liverpool by five points, having played a game less.

It was the best display this season from United who responded to Leeds’ well known pressing game and relentless running by playing through the press with crisp, swift passing and matching Marcelo Bielsa’s side for work-rate.

McTominay fired United ahead after 67 seconds in emphatic fashion with a thundering low drive from outside the box after he had set up by Bruno Fernandes.

The midfielder then became the first player to score twice in the opening three minutes of a Premier League match when he collected a clever pass from Anthony Martial and beat Illan Meslier with a left-foot finish.

Fernandes made it 3-0 in the 20th minute, drilling home after the ball fell to him at the back post, after a swift United counter-attack.

Victor Lindelof added the fourth in the 37th minute, converting at the back post after Martial had flicked on a Luke Shaw corner.

But Leeds gave themselves a small foothold in the game when defender Liam Cooper headed in a Raphinha corner, four minutes before the break.

That goal gave Marcelo Bielsa’s

team some encouragement for the second half and United keeper David De Gea had to be at his sharpest to keep out a Raphina header.

But United put the game beyond Bielsa’s side when the impressive McTominay found Dan James with crisp pass and the Welsh forward beat Meslier at his near post.

Fernandes added United’s sixth -- and his second -- from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Martial had been brought down in the box by Pascal Struijk.

Still Leeds continued to push forward in numbers and they were rewarded when Stuart Dallas beat De Gea with a wonderful curling shot from over 20 metres out.

With an animated Bielsa still urging his team forward despite being 6-2 down, Leeds left space for United to exploit and it was only a series of fine saves from Meslier that stopped an even heavier loss.

Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes scores one of his team’s six goals against Leeds United yesterday.

11MONDAY 21 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT

‘The Lions’ prepare to take on newly-crowned Amir Cup champions Al Sadd

Qatar Clasico: Blanc braces for Al Rayyan debutFAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

Popular coach Laurent Blanc’s immediate task in Qatar is to put Al Rayyan’s QNB Stars League (QSL) campaign back on track. But the 1998 World Cup winner faces a stiff challenge in his first game as Al Rayyan confront an in-form Al Sadd side coached by Xavi this Wednesday.

Dubbed the Qatar Clasico, both the Qatar football giants will clash in their QSL’s Round 10 clash at Al Sadd Stadium on Wednesday with Al Rayyan hoping for a turnaround in their performance.

Ahead of the game, former PSG coach Blanc - whose 18-month contract with Al Rayyan was announced on Sat-urday - met Al Rayyan’s first and U-23 teams yesterday besides supervising training sessions.

Last season’s runners-up Al Rayyan, are struggling this season and are currently sixth

in the points standings with 13 points.

Blanc, who has succeeded Diego Aguirre after the Uru-guayan quit to join his family, faces an impeccable Al Sadd, who clinched the Amir Cup after defeating Al Arabi 2-1 on Friday.

The Wolves are leading the QSL points standing with 25 points and are the only unbeaten side this season.

While Al Sadd possess players performing consistently like Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim

Hassan, Hassan Al Haydous, Akram Afif and Baghdad Bounedjah, Blanc can bank on quality players like goalkeeper Fahad Younis, Mohammed Alaaeldin, Franck Kom, Dame Traore, Yacine Brahimi, Abdulaziz Hatem and Yohan Boli.

“I will work with the players who are currently trying return the team to top of the (QSL) points table,” Blanc was quoted as saying in a tweet posted on the club’s Twitter handle.

The eagerly-awaited

match will kick off at 6:30pm. Meanwhile, QSL’s Round 10

will also bring more exciting games.

Al Ahli, who have been impressive this week will be

hoping to retain their second place with a win over fourth-placed Qatar SC.

Wednesday’s other match include a game between Al Kharaitiyat and Al Arabi.

Reigning champions Al Duhail – ranked 5th with 15 points - will be eyeing full points against Al Khor in the week’s opening fixture tomorrow.

Al Sailiya and Umm Salal will square off while Al Gharafa and Al Wakrah meet in tomor-row’s other games.

QSL ROUND 10 FIXTURES

Tomorrow 4:00pm: Al Duhail vs Al Khor at Al Duhail Stadium6:30pm: Al Sailiya vs Umm Salal at Al Duhail Stadium6:30pm: Al Gharafa vs Al Wakrah at Al Sadd StadiumWednesday4:00pm: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Arabi at Al Ahli Stadium6:30pm: Al Ahli vs Qatar SC at Al Ahli Stadium6:30pm: Al Rayyan vs Al Sadd at Al Sadd Stadium

QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 9

POS CLUB MATCHES WIN LOSE DRAW GF GA GD POINTS1 Al Sadd 9 8 0 1 35 8 27 252 Al Ahli 9 6 2 1 13 13 0 193 Al Gharafa 9 6 3 0 23 15 8 184 Qatar SC 9 5 4 0 13 8 5 155 Al Duhail 9 5 4 0 15 12 3 156 Al Rayyan 9 3 2 4 11 8 3 137 Al Sailiya 9 3 4 2 12 17 -5 118 Al Wakrah 9 3 5 1 10 12 -2 109 Umm Salal 9 2 5 2 5 13 -8 810 Al Khor 9 1 4 4 7 14 -7 711 Al Arabi 9 1 5 3 9 19 -10 612 Al Kharaitiyat 9 2 7 0 6 20 -14 6

Coach Laurent Blanc speaks with Al Rayyan star Yacine Brahimi during his meeting with the team ahead of the match against Al Sadd. RIGHT: Blanc poses for a group photo with Al Rayyan's U-23 team.

Father and son goalkeepers merge Al Rayyan’s past, present and futureTHE PENINSULA — DOHA

When Younes Ahmed made his debut for Al Rayyan Sports Club in 1978, football in Qatar was a rapidly growing sport. Just a year earlier, the Qatar national team played its first FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against neighbouring Bahrain. More than four decades later, Younes stands on the turf at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, one of eight stadiums that two years from now will host matches during the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.

For Younes, the moment is made even more momentous by the fact he is joined by his son, Fahed Younes Ahmed, the current Al Rayyan goalkeeper. Father and son are proud that the 40,000-capacity venue will soon become the new home of Al Rayyan – and while Fahed is looking forward to playing in the new venue, he also has another dream – to represent his country and follow in the footsteps of his father, who played as Qatar’s first choice goalkeeper for 17 years.

“When the World Cup gets underway in 2022, my dream is to be part of the starting 11 rep-resenting Qatar,” says Fahad, who joined Al Rayyan after graduating from the world-renowned Aspire Academy.

“I know that the level at which my father played is dif-ficult for any goalkeeper to reach. It requires a lot of sac-rifice and a sharp mindset. You need to remain focused in the face of tremendous challenges. I doubt that I will be able to

surpass him, but I aspire to reach his level one day,” he added.

While taking in the views of the new Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Younes recalled his own career as he looks forward to wit-nessing Fahad’s journey with the same club. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was inaugurated on 18 December when it hosted the Amir Cup final – a trophy Younes lifted in 1997.

“The Amir Cup final that year is the most memorable club game of my career,” said Younes. “It was the sixth final that I played in having lost the previous five. Al Rayyan hadn’t won the tournament for 25 years, so when I became the first captain to lift the cup after such a long absence, it made the match and victory one that I will never forget.”

Known as ‘The Fierce’, Al Rayyan are renowned for their

wide support, with fans spanning the entire Gulf region. Dubbed ‘Al Rayyan Nation’, sup-porters of the club have seen the side crowned champions of Qatar on eight occasions – most recently in 2015 – and Amir Cup winners six times.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is set to host matches up to and including the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022, is built on the site of the old Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium. A large proportion of the materials from the old venue were used in the new development and precinct. During legacy mode, the sta-dium’s top tier will be removed, with the excess seats donated to create sporting venues in Qatar and overseas.

Younes said: “As a Qatari citizen, I am honoured to see stadiums like this. It’s something to be proud of, to have a

beautiful stadium built to such high standards that is charac-terised by the beautiful red and black colours of the seats. I wish that I could’ve played in a stadium like this when I was a player, but what does give me joy is that my son will hopefully be one of the players that will get to play in this stadium in the future.”

Having the opportunity to play in a World Cup stadium means something entirely dif-ferent for Fahad.

“I was really young when my father used to play. I was maybe five or six years old, so I don’t remember much but I do remember watching a lot of videos of him playing. I hope playing in Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium becomes a launching pad for my career. I want to make my father proud – just as proud as I was when I used to watch him play.”

A duo of father and son - Younes Ahmed (left) and Fahed Younes Ahmed.

Leao scores fastest-ever Serie A goal to keep AC Milan top on points table

AFP — MILAN

AC Milan forward Rafael Leao scored the fastest-ever goal in Serie A history yesterday when he netted after just six seconds in a 2-1 win at Sassuolo which kept his side top of table ahead of city rivals Inter Milan.

Milan, chasing a first Serie A title since 2011, launched straight into attack from kick-off, with Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu setting up Leao to slot home the rapid opener.

The previous fastest goal in the Italian top flight had been Paolo Poggi’s for Piacenza against Fiorentina in December 2001 after eight seconds of play.

Milan have a one-point advantage on Antonio Conte’s Inter who beat promoted Spezia 2-1, with champions Juventus four points behind the leaders in third after a 4-0 win over Parma on Saturday.

“We wanted to start the game well because we missed out in the last few,” said coach Stefano Pioli whose side had been held 2-2 in both their last two league games against Parma and Genoa.

“We have four-five kick-off patterns. Yes, he (Leao) was prepared. It was an important moment. I often tell young players, there are

points that are worth more because they come in delicate moments."

Portuguese Leao, who usually plays on the left wing, started at centre-forward with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic still out with a leg muscle problem and his replacement Ante Rebic also injured.

It was the 21-year-old’s third league goal this season and fourth in a l l competitions.

Calhanoglu thought he had scored a second after nine minutes when he put home a Leao cross but the goal was dis-allowed for offside after a VAR review.

However Alexis Saele-maekers doubled Milan’s lead in the 26th minute following good work from Theo Hernandez.

Domenico Berardi pulled a goal back late for Sassuolo, who sit sixth on 23 points after the defeat.

AC Milan’s Portuguese forward Rafael Leao (right) celebrates after opening the scoring during the Italian Serie A match against Sassuolo, yesterday.

Torino 1 (Verdi 69) Bologna 1 (Soriano 78)

Cagliari 1 (Lykogiannis 27) Udinese 1 (Lasagna

57)

Benevento 2 (Insigne 57, Sau 89-pen) Genoa

0

Sassuolo 1 (Berardi 89) AC Milan 2 (Leao 1,

Saelemaekers 26)

Inter Milan 2 (Hakimi 52, Lukaku 71-pen)

Spezia 1 (Piccoli 90+4)

SERIE A RESULTS

Pele congratulates Messi for equalling goal recordREUTERS — LONDON

Brazil soccer great Pele has paid tribute to Lionel Messi for equalling his goal-scoring record for a single club after the Argentine forward netted his 643rd goal for Barcelona in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Valencia.

Messi, 33, hit the milestone goal with a diving header just before halftime immediately after his penalty was saved by Valencia keeper Jaume

Domenech. Messi, who made his first appearance for Bar-celona aged 17 in 2004, needed 748 matches to score 643 goals, while Pele managed the tally in 665 competitive games for Santos.

“When your heart over-flows with love, it is difficult to change your path. Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing the same shirt every day,” Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times, wrote on Instagram.

“Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home. Con-gratulations on your his-toric record, Lionel. But above all, congratula-tions on your beautiful career at Barcelona.

“Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very

much.” Pele, now 80, made his Santos

debut aged 15 in 1956 and left in 1974.

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