MABROOK AL ANNABI Qatar 4 UAE 0 - The Peninsula Qatar
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Our win against
SPORT
UAE is big but now
all our focus will
be on winning the
Asian Cup final
against Japan:
Almoez Ali Wednesday 30 January 2019
MABROOK
AL ANNABI
Qatar 4 UAE 0
Qatar clinch historic victory in the second
semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup, thrashing
UAE 4-0 on their home turf in Abu Dhabi,
yesterday. Al Annabi will face Japan in the
final on Friday.
Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al
Haydos and Hamid Ismail score a goal each in
memorable triumph against the arch-rivals.
Almoez equals tournament record of
most goals with his 8th strike in the event
while Qatar claim their sixth consecutive
victory, smashing a total of 16 goals without
conceding any.
Stories on Sport pages 05, 06 and 07
WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 05
Qatar’s forward Almoez Ali (centre) shoots to score during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup semi-final against UAE at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday.
Magnificent Almoez equals record tally
FAWAD HUSSAIN Almoez opened his account “ We have an organised set-up
THE PENINSULA against Lebanon in Qatar’s 2-0
victory and went on scoring four
in Qatar, facilities in Aspire
Academy and on other places are Hostile atmosphere
Qatar’s historic performance at the goals in Al Annabi’s 6-0 thrashing outstanding. That has helped us a
AFC Asian Cup is a result of
combined efforts from the entire
over North Korea.
The striker scored both the
lot in preparing ourselves to
achieve goals,” he said.
Japan have played very
well in the tournament.
mars Qatar’s big win
team but one player deserves a goals in crunch Saudi Arabia While Almoez credits team
special mention – Al Annabi’s match before scoring a crucial spirit for his success, experienced They played very well THE PENINSULA
red-hot striker Almoez Ali, who goal against the UAE, Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho to beat Iran in the first ABU DHABI
equalled tournament’s record for yesterday. saw a special talent in the Qatari semi-final. Our win
most goals after firing a stunner “My performance is a result of striker, who also plays for Al against UAE is also big A partisan crowd turned hostile yesterday when Qatar
against the UAE in yesterday’s teamwork and planning of the Duhail. thrashed homes side UAE 4-0 to reach the final of the 2019
semi-final. entire squad. I am very proud to “I think this boy Almoez is but now all our focus AFC Asian Cup.
From the first group match play my role for my country,” agile. He moves fast (and) he is will be on winning Some 42,000 fans at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium
against Lebanon till Qatar’s mem- Almoez said after triumph over the cool in the face of the keeper,” said the final against a looked downbeat as Qatar fired two goals in each half in
orable 4-0 drubbing over the UAE, yesterday. Mourinho, who was in Qatar what was an electrifying performance from coach Felix
hosts, Almoez remained a “I don’t have individual goals earlier this month, to give his
tough side. Sanchez’s side.
nightmare for the opposition as I want to play my part in expert opinion on beIN Sports. When Boualem Khoukhi opened the scoring in the 22nd
defence in the tournament. achievement for the whole country “He plays at an interesting Almoez said the record will not minute, some UAE fans threw water bottles but when Almoez
In front of sandal-throwing and win big titles for Qatar,” he level and who knows in the next be in his mind when Qatar face Ali fired a beauty in the 37th, it all turned ugly. UAE fans
spectators at Abu Dhabi’s added. couple of years, this boy could be Japan in the final, saying winning started throwing footwear and water bottles at Almoez who
Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium, the playing in another league so that the AFC Asian Cup title for Qatar was stopped from celebrating his record-breaking strike.
22-year-old sensation, fired a he becomes more competitive. He will be his only aim on Friday. In the second half, captain Hassan Al Haydos was seem-
clinical hit from a long range to is young, he is 180cm (in height) “Japan have played very well ingly hit by a water bottle when the Qatar captain fired his
score Qatar’s second goal in the and that’s a good size,” the popular in the tournament. They played side’s third goal. Even UAE players urged Qatari players not
first half, laying foundation for the coach said after Qatar defeated very well to beat Iran in the first to overdo with the celebrations sensing the disgusting
famous victory. My performance is a Saudi Arabi 2-0 in their last group semi-final,” said Almoez. behaviour of the home fans.
It was Almoez’s eighth goal in result of teamwork. I match. “Our win against UAE is also In the dying seconds, substitute Hamid Ismail made it
the tournament – a record “The objective of this kid is to big but now all our focus will be 4-0 for Qatar.
equalling tally in Asia’s premier am very proud to play play. If Qatar wants him to be on winning the final against a After the final whistle, Qatar players were urged to quietly
event. my role for my country. better, then they need him to be tough side,” the star striker move into the team locker-room whereas Qatar coach
Another goal in Friday’s final I don’t have individual playing in a better league. He is an added. Sanchez went about for quick handshakes with the UAE
against Japan will take the feared important player. He needs to go Qatar will enter the final players.
goals as I want to play
striker ahead of Iranian legend to a competitive league and not without conceding a single goal Qatar, who had never gone beyond the quarter-finals
Ali Daei, who scored eight goals my part and win big playing all the time. That’s the from their six consecutive victories of the Asian Cup, will now meet Japan in the final of the
in the 1996 edition of the titles for Qatar. balance you have to find,” he in which they scored a total of 16 tournament set for Friday.
tournament. added. goals.
What happened at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium
Fans attending the semi-final boo when Qatar’s national anthem was played at Mohammed
Bin Zayed Stadium before the kickoff.
Boualem Khoukhi opens the scoring in the 22nd minute and UAE fans start hurling water bottles
at Qatar players celebrating the goal.
Almoez Ali fires Qatar’s second goal in the 37th minute and more bottles and sandals are
thrown at the players.
After the third goal by Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos in the 81st minute, midfielder Salem Al
Hajri is hit on the head with a bottle missile.
UAE defender Ismail Ahmed is shown the red card in stoppage time for an elbow on Al Hajri
and more tensions are witnessed at the stadium that has attracted more than 38,000 fans. Qatari captain Hassan Al Haydos goes UAE’s goalkeeper Khalid Eisa picks up
After the final whistle, Qatar players are urged to leave the pitch with quick handshakes as down holding his head after being hit sandals thrown by the crowd after Almoez
hostile fans vent frustration at UAE’s poor performance. by a water bottle. Ali scored the second goal for Qatar.
Fans throw bottles and flip-flops at the pitch as players take
evasive action during the AFC Asian Cup semi-final at the
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, yesterday.
06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019
Triumph in Abu Dhabi as Al Annabi storm into Asian Cup final
Jubilant Qatari players celebrate their 4-0
victory over UAE at the end of the AFC Asian
Cup semi-final, played at the Mohammed bin
Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Qatar
overcame a hostile crowd atmosphere to set
up a title clash with four-time champions
Japan.
Qatar crush UAE
ARMSTRONG VAS
THE PENINSULA
disappointed fans threw water
bottles and slippers at the Qatari
Hamid Ismail (second right) celebrates after scoring Qatar’s fourth goal with team-
mates during the Asian Cup semi-final match against UAE in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
players on multiple occasions.
A scintillating display helped Al Annabi added a second
Qatar trounce hosts UAE 4-0 to one in the 37th minute, which
reach their maiden Asian Cup turned out to be a gem of goal This is a win for all of Qatar.
final. from Ali. As I said yesterday, we are
Yesterday, at the The speedy Qatari striker’s
technically a much superior
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium curling effort beat the diving Eisa
in Abu Dhabi, coach Felix all ends up. side than our rivals. Our boys
Sanchez’s side overcame a Ali’s eighth goal of the tour- handled the pressure really
hostile crowd atmosphere to nament took him level with well. Our players took control
register a resounding win and Iranian great Ali Daei for most of the match. They were really
set up a title clash with four-time goals in a single AFC Asian Cup composed during the match.
champions Japan. campaign.
They dominated the game.
Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez In the second half, Qatar
Ali, Hassan Al Haydos and sub- added a third goal in the 80th Insha Allah (God Willing) we
stitute Hamid Ismail were all on minute with Al Haydos getting will have a great match against
target as Qatar became the first his name on the scores list, Japan and d bring
brin
ng
team not concede a goal in the beating the advancing keeper the Asian
an Cup
sia
ian p
opening six matches of the Asian with a gentle chip in an one-to- trophyy to Qatar:
to Qa
ata
tar:
r:
r:
Cup. one situation.
QFA Secretary
ecrretary
Qatar, who have now scored Qatar completed the humil-
16 goals in six matches without iation with a fourth goal in injury Generalal
any response, struck twice in time. Mansoor
oo
or
each half against UAE to silence Substitute Ismail, who came Al Ansari
sar
ai
the home fans. in for Akram Afif in the 90th
In the first half, Khoukhi and minute, beat the UAE keeper
Ali found their names on the with his right footed try to give
scorers list and on resumption, Al Annabi a facile win.
Al Haydos and Ismail piled up An eerie of silence enveloped
the misery for the home side. the Stadium with the final
Qatar started on a bright
note enjoying more ball pos-
session but could not trouble the
scorers before the 20-minute
whistle with home fans
departing in despair while the
Qatari players were ushered into
the locker room by the security
Coach Sanchez applauds team’s effort
mark. The winners attained officials. AFC were the goal heroes as Qatar crushed UAE “I congratulate the people of Qatar on this
success in the 22nd minute. Full credit to Qatar, a solid ABU DHABI in a battle that was marred by poor crowd great show,” he added. “I am sure they are
Khoukhi’s angular shot from and professional performance disturbances. happy and celebrating. It was an extremely
the edge of the box broke from the men in maroon with Coach Felix Sanchez yesterday applauded his “I am happy for Qatar players and the difficult game. We did not feel comfortable at
through the defense of UAE Sanchez getting the best from his team’s 4-0 win over hosts UAE in the AFC team officials. I am very proud of our per- the beginning but we scored two brilliants
goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and well drilled side with Al Annabi Asian Cup semi-final, saying the last-four clash formances. Let me tell you everyone has goals in the first half,” he added.
ended in the back of the net, 1-0. emerging as worthy winners. was a ‘pressure game’ from the start. worked so hard for this,” Sanchez said “Then we put pressure and added two
There was a pin-drop silence However, it was a night to Boualem Khoukhi (22), Almoez Ali (37), after the match at Mohamed Bin Zayed more goals. That’s how we achieved success
at the stadium and some forget for UAE. Hassan Al Haydos (81) and Hamid Ismail (94) Stadium. today.
“The (unruly) situation was not easy to
handle in general. Fortunately there were no
problems and our players acted profes-
sionally,” Sanchez said about the crowd
disturbances.
“There may have been a number of (UAE)
players who behaved in an inappropriate
manner but everybody feels in such certain
situations,” Sanchez said on Tuesday.
“We were aware of the pressure from the
fans and we were able to deal well with this
pressure,” Sanchez said.
“For the next game we will get back
Bassam and Hatem. We need to evaluate our
players during the next two days. It is not ideal
situation for a championship title match but
we have to deal with it,” Sanchez said.
“Now we will take stock and prepare for
the final (against Japan) on Friday,” he added.
“It is obvious that not conceding goals
gives us the opportunity to attack and that
was great commitment from my players. In
six matches, we have not conceded goals and
that shows great concentration from our
backline,” the Qatar coach added.
WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07
The victorious
Qatari players and
officials pose for a
photograph with
the President of
Qatar Football
Association (QFA)
Sheikh Hamad bin
Khalifa bin Ahmed
Al Thani in Abu
Dhabi, yesterday.
QFA Vice
President Saud
Al Mohannadi,
Khalid Al Kuwari,
Director of
Marketing and
Communication,
QFA, and Ali Salat,
the team’s media
chief in Abu
Dhabi, are also
seen.
Qatar rejoices after emphatic win!
Hamid Ismail and Qatar captain
Hassan Al Haydos celebrate the
Fans at Souq Waqif celebrate Qatar’s fourth and final goal against
4-0 victory against UAE yesterday. UAE during the AFC Asian Cup
PIC: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH/THE PENINSULA. semi-final match yesterday.
Skipper Hassan Al Haydos (centre)
scores past UAE’s goalkeeper
Khalid Eisa Mohamed during
yesterday’s semi-final played
in Abu Dhabi. Al Haydos got
his name on the scorer’s list in
the 80th minute, beating the
advancing keeper with a gentle
chip in a one-to-one situation.
Defender Hamid Ismail scores Qatar’s
fourth goal yesterday. Substitute
Ismail, who came in for Akram Afif
in the 90th minute, beat the UAE
keeper with a right-footed drive
to give Al Annabi a convincing win. Skipper Hassan Al Haydos celebrates after scoring
Qatar’s third goal.
SPORT
WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 04
I underwent a hip resurfacing British tennis great
TODAY’S
surgery in London on Monday Andy Murray tells his FOOTBALL CRICKET
ACTION
morning... feeling a bit battered and Instagram followers
Premier League: :5th ODI
bruised just now but hopefully that after hip resurfacing
Liverpool vs Leicester City Pakistan vs South Africa
will be the end of my hip pain. surgery in London.
T20 World Cup: Pakistan, India placed in separate groups
AGENCIES
DUBAI
T20 WORLD CUP DRAW Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
finished ninth and 10th respec-
Women’s group stages (Feb 21 - March 3) tively in the T20 rankings. They
Bitter rivals Pakistan and India Group A: Australia, New Zealand, India, Sri will play in a qualifying round,
will not meet in the group stage Lanka, Qualifier 1 from which four teams will
of the T20 World Cup under the Group B: England, West Indies, South Africa, advance to the Super 12 stage in
draw announced yesterday for Pakistan, Qualifier 2 Australia. The top eight teams
next year’s event in Australia. Semi-finals: March 5 qualify directly.
Both India and Pakistan Final: March 8 Pakistan will open the tour-
have faced each other in five ICC Men’s qualifiers: October 18 - 23 nament against Australia at the
tournaments since 2011 and will Group stages (October 24 - November 8) Sydney Cricket Ground on
also meet again in the 50-over Group 1: Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, New October 24. On the same day
World Cup in England later this Zealand, two qualifiers India plays South Africa in Perth.
year. Group 2: India, England, South Africa, Af- Sydney and Adelaide will
The present T20 rankings host the two semifinals on
ghanistan, two qualifiers
have placed Pakistan and India November 11 and 12, respec-
in two different groups at the Semi-finals: November 11 and 12 tively. The final is set for
T20 World Cup. Pakistan is Final: November 15 November 15 at the Melbourne
ranked No. 1 and India is ranked Cricket Ground.
No. 2. Afghanistan and the two quali- The women’s final will be Indian captain Virat Kohli (centre) plays a shot as Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed (right)
England and Australia are fiers. Australia is in Group A with played on March 8 to coincide and Babar Azam react during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, in this file photo. Fans
also in separate groups. England Pakistan, West Indies, New with International Women’s will not be able to watch Pakistan and India squaring off in group stage of T20 World Cup
is in Group B, which also fea- Zealand and the two qualifying Day, and the men’s final will be next year.
tures India, South Africa, teams. held on November 15.
England ponder changes ICC urges SL to
come clean on
after Barbados thrashing corruption
AFP
REUTERS “Keaton Jennings is a good COLOMBO
ANTIGUA player against spin but every time
he faces pace I shut my eyes. He The International
A year in which England will host does not know where his off stump Cricket Council has I would request the
the World Cup and the Ashes is and, as an opening batsman, that urged Sri Lanka’s cricket fraternity
started in the worst possible way is your number one task,” he said. scandal-ridden sporting to come forward
with an emphatic 381-run defeat Broad is likely to return to the community to come and share any
by West Indies in Barbados and attack but it is far from clear who forward with infor-
they face major selection choices will drop out and with Antigua pos- mation a b o u t other information
for the second Test in Antigua sibly friendly to spin, Joe Root may corruption before an concerning
starting tomorrow. still need to keep two slow bowlers. amnesty expires or risk corrupt conduct
For West Indies, led by one of The mood in the home camp is expulsion from the
or approaches in
the game’s most exciting talents in buoyant, after all there have only game.
all-rounder Jason Holder, the been two other occasions when the Sri Lankan cricket the strictest of
contest at the Sir Vivian Richards West Indies won a Test by bigger has been mired in cor- confidence: ICC’s
Stadium, offers a chance to prove margins by runs. ruption allegations in Anti-corruption Chief
they are a team on the rise -- They defeated England by 425 recent years, including
capable of more than just occa- England’s Joe Root looks runs in Manchester in 1976 and claims of match fixing
Alex Marshall
sional triumphs. dejected after being caught crushed Australia by 408 runs in ahead of an interna-
For all the focus on England’s out during first Test against Adelaide in 1980. tional Test against
decision to play two spinners and the West Indies in Barbados, While the results of the Car- England last year, and the sport’s world governing body
leave out experienced seamer in this January 26, 2019, ibbean side remain well below the is in the middle of a major inquiry into the island nation.
Stuart Broad, the fact remains that file photo. standards they once set, there are The ICC said it had received a “positive response”
England’s loss was caused by a signs they may be turning the corner after granting a 15-day amnesty this month for players,
shocking first-innings batting effort -- the victory in Barbados was their coaches or anyone else linked to the sport to come clean,
as they were skittled out for a eighth win in their last 21 Tests. free of the threat of punishment.
paltry 77. however, if England’s selectors sessions by working hard and Those victories include two ICC’s Anti-corruption Chief Alex Marshall said new
Concerns over England’s decided to immediately jettison forcing bowlers into their third or against England and Pakistan and cases had come to light and urged others to come forward
batting increased when part-time him for 32-year-old back-up Joe fourth spells. They are fine when one against Sri Lanka but Holder, before the amnesty expires tomorrow.
spinner Roston Chase took eight Denly but Jennings will again be they bowl a team out or make a big now ranked as the world’s top Test “In the final few days, I would request the cricket
wickets in the second innings. under pressure to show he merits score batting first themselves but all-rounder, knows there have fraternity to come forward and share any other infor-
Questions are being asked of that faith. Jennings will need to poor when they are under a little been plenty of false dawns for his mation concerning corrupt conduct or approaches in
England’s left-handed opener show real toughness to rise to the bit of pressure,” Vaughan wrote in team. the strictest of confidence,” he said in a statement.
Keaton Jennings who is struggling challenge but that is a quality his Daily Telegraph column. “We’ve still got a long way to Those who refuse to share information with ICC
again after showing his capabilities former skipper Michael Vaughan Vaughan pointed the finger go. One Test match doesn’t make investigators could face five-year bans if caught.
with a century in Sri Lanka in feels the team is lacking. firmly at Jennings and is worried a summer,” he said. “We’ve been The ICC considers Sri Lanka the world’s most corrupt
November. “They do not have the mental he won’t be able to handle Holder’s in this position before, so lots of cricketing nation,” Sri Lankan sports minister Harin
It would be a surprise, strength to fight through tough pace attack. hard work to be done.” Fernando said last month.
Australia captain
Hewitt slams Davis Murray undergoes surgery in London
Cup changes AFP
LONDON
the 2019 edition of
Wimbledon.
to say he would do all he
could to prolong his career
Ahead of this latest bout
of surgery, Murray spoke to
compared to doubles, mean
there is no guarantee this
AP “I underwent a hip but Monday’s operation US doubles specialist Bob operation could help the
ADELAIDE Andy Murray has resurfacing surgery in may mean he is not fit in Bryan, who has just British tennis great to regain
undergone hip resurfacing London yesterday (Monday) time for Wimbledon, where returned to the game ap place among the world’s
Australia captain Lleyton Hewitt is not happy surgery in London, the morning... feeling a bit bat- he had thought of following the same top players.
about the new format beginning this year for the British tennis great told his tered and bruised just now making his farewell procedure last Dr Edwin Su, who
Davis Cup. Instagram followers but hopefully that will be to tennis. year. operated on Bryan, though,
op
Hewitt called the new setup “ridiculous” yes- yesterday. the end of my hip pain,” Monday’s oper- B r y a n told Britain’s Mail on
to
terday and ripped into former Barcelona soccer The two-time Wim- Murray said on Instagram. ation was the urged Murray Sunday: “I think it would
Su
star Gerard Pique, whose Kosmos investment bledon champion had been There are no guar- second time Murray to have similar absolutely be able to help
ab
group has been involved with the revamp. weighing up the pros and antees that the operation had undergone surgery, him. Ideally, it is with no
him
Hewitt says “now we’re getting run by a cons of the operation, will allow Murray to play surgery in the past 12 although the pain. Most of the time, right
pa
Spanish football player, which is like me come which involves putting a top-flight tennis again but months after a first greater physical away from the time they
aw
out and asking to change things for the Cham- metal plate into the joint, in it should enable him to live operation failed to demands of wake up from the surgery,
wa
pions League. He knows nothing about tennis.” one last bid to prolong a a pain-free life off the court. ease the pain in singles patients say that the pain is
pa
Australia faces Bosnia-Herzegovina beginning career plagued by injury. At the Australian Open, his hip. gone.” Su, however, added:
go
on Friday with the winner moving to the 18-team The 31-year-old double Murray showed his com- “What is unknown in elite
“W
final in November in Madrid. The move was made Olympic gold medallist had petitive spirit and talent athletes is whether they can
ath
to streamline the competition in a congested previously said ahead of were undimmed in a five- return to sport...Singles is
re
tennis schedule. Hewitt adds: “I don’t agree at all this month’s Australian set defeat by Roberto much more strenuous
m
with it. I think having the finals in one place is Open earlier that he Bautista-Agut. Andy Murray than doubles.”
th
ridiculous. I personally don’t think all the top intended to retire following That match led Murray
players will play. We will wait and see.”
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