Social media stars from across the world compete for Influencer Cup in Qatar
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Ross Taylor
bids emotional
farewell in
final match for
New Zealand
PAGE 14
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022
Social media stars from
across the world compete
for Influencer Cup in Qatar
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK
DOHA
SOCIAL media personalities
from across the globe de-
scended on Doha this week for
the Influencer Cup – a com-
petition organised by the Su-
preme Committee for Deliv-
ery & Legacy (SC), powered by
Qatar Airways and supported
by Visit Qatar.
Twenty-nine football in-
fluencers competed in match-
es at Stadium 974, one of
eight FIFA World Cup Qatar
2022™ tournament venues.
The influencers were split
into four five-a-side teams
representing different re-
gions: Asia, Middle East and
North Africa, the Americas
and Europe. They benefitted
from top-level coaching from
Qatar Legacy Ambassadors,
Cafu, Ronald de Boer and Tim
Cahill – who all appeared at
multiple World Cups.
The competition, which
was won by Team Americas,
featuring Argentinians More-
na Beltran and Markito Nava-
ja, Mexican Werevertumorro,
US influencers DJ Diveny and
Michael Bolvin, and Brazil-
ian trio Caio Lo, Vitor Lo and
Ale Xavier, was organised to
showcase everything Qatar
has to offer through the eyes
of highly-engaged influencers
who boast millions of follow-
ers worldwide.
Caio Lo was top scorer in
the tournament, while other
high-profile participants in-
cluded Billy Wingrove, Sean
Garnier, Mo Ali Haydarpour
and Bashar Arabi.
Omani football freestyler,
Mohammed Al Noufali, said:
“It was a wonderful experi-
ence. It was amazing to play
at a World Cup stadium. The
World Cup feels so close – it’s
so exciting for everyone.
“The 2022 World Cup is a
tournament you cannot miss.
It’s the first World Cup to be WhatsApp Image 2022-04-04 at 3.50.49 PM (1) The influencers were split into four five-a-side teams representing different regions: Asia, Middle East and North Africa, the Americas and Europe.
hosted by a Middle East and
Arab country. Whether you
love football or not, you have to
visit Qatar. It will be unforget-
table.
“This is an opportunity
for all Arab countries – and
a chance for tourists from all
over the world to visit Qatar
and learn about Arab culture
and heritage.”
DJ Diveny, street foot-
baller and freestyler from the
US, said: “I’m really excited to
be here and to share the love
of football. This event shows
football unites us and is in-
clusive, and that’s what I love
about it the most.”
He continued: “I would tell
fans, especially those from the we stayed was awesome. So, “We are pleased to welcome case our country’s readiness Stakeholder Relations Direc- “Both organisations have I would like to thank them for
United States, that it’s amaz- everyone back home, check it such a diverse group of in- for the FIFA World Cup and tor, said: “We have worked played a key role in show- helping to organise a success-
ing out here. Qatar is beauti- out, because it’s cool.” fluencers to Qatar for this build excitement ahead of the closely with Qatar Airways casing Qatar’s image to the ful event which shows Qatar
ful, the people are friendly, the Khalid al Naama, the SC’s competition. We see this as a tournament.” and Visit Qatar to organise the world and driving engage- is open and welcoming to
stadium is fantastic and where Digital Media Director, said: golden opportunity to show- Khaled al Suwaidi, the SC’s Influencer Cup. ment ahead of the World Cup. everyone.”
JJ Spaun punches ticket to the Masters with Valero Texas Open triumph
DPA Australian Matt Jones and Ameri- and 14th holes - giving him a birdie “But to be here, and to overcome golf, and I would rather double the
BERLIN can Matt Kuchar sharing second on the par-five 14th hole in all four a lot of things and finally get a win, first hole than the last hole, so I just
place at 11 under. rounds. that’s everything you dream of. It’s knew if I stayed patient and kept
JJ Spaun landed the Valero Texas With his win, the Californian It is the first PGA Tour win incredible. I’m speechless.” On his plugging away and put myself in
Open title after coming back from became the first player since Ti- of Spaun’s career, and with it, he early double-bogey and how he re- contention with nine holes to play,
a double-bogey on the first hole to ger Woods in 2008 to win a PGA punched his ticket to Augusta Na- covered, he said the moment actu- that’s all I could ask for.” The best
shoot 69 in the final round, clinch- Tour event after double-bogeying tional from Thursday. ally calmed him down. performances from the fourth round
ing a place at the Masters in the pro- the opening hole of the final round. Spaun said the scale of his J.J. Spaun “It didn’t bother me as much as were a pair of 66s posted by Jones,
cess. The 31-year-old went bogey-free achievement was hard to believe. you would think - if anything, it kind who finished second, and Keegan
Spaun finished two strokes clear the rest of the way, collecting bird- “I think a year ago to even be on I’d have to do a lot of work to get of calmed me down,” he said. Bradley, who jumped up into a tie
of the field on 13 under par, with ies on the sixth, eighth, ninth, 11th tour I would have been telling you there,” he said. “I knew there was still a lot of for eighth.
Sports Tuesday, April 5, 2022 13
FASCINATING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL Liverpool’s Klopp
not concerned by
Salah form ahead of
Benfica showdown
DPA important for me, the threat
BERLIN he is for other teams. How he
brings players together in mo-
JUERGEN Klopp has no con- ments when he gets the ball,
cerns about Mohamed Salah’s maybe two or three players
form as Liverpool prepare to are going for him in these mo-
face Benfica in a Champions ments.
League quarter-final first leg “Sometimes he could de-
on Tuesday. cide in a better way, no doubt
Salah has been outstand- about that, pass the ball quick-
ing for the Reds this season er and all these things. But it’s
amid speculation over his fu- a tough period for Sadio and
ture, scoring 28 goals in all Mo, with the Africa Cup and
competitions. coming back being immedi-
The Egypt forward, who ately available for us again
has just under 15 months re-
maining on his contract, has Salah has been outstand-
only found the back of the net ing for the Reds this sea-
once in the past eight matches son amid speculation over
for club and country, however,
and that was from the pen- his future, scoring 28
alty spot against Brighton and goals in all competitions.
Hove Albion.
Klopp is not worried about with all the games.
Salah’s lack of goals of late and Liverpool are strong fa-
says the 29-year-old and Sadio vourites ahead of the first leg
Mane are bound to have felt at Estadio da Luz, but they
the strain after being away on have lost their past three away
Africa Cup of Nations duty and games against Benfica.
returning to help Liverpool Klopp, who has a fully-
battle for an unprecedented fit squad to choose from,
Atletico Madrid’s French striker Antoine Griezmann (centre) attends a training session at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on Monday. (AFP) quadruple. says there is no margin for
Guardiola’s City face Simeone’s
And the German stressed error as his side go for glory
that the former Roma and in the Champions League,
Chelsea man provides more Premier League and FA
than just goals. Cup after already lifting the
Asked about Salah’s form, League Cup.
Atletico roadblock in CL quarters
the Reds boss said: “He might “We all know one failure,
not have scored from open one little misstep, and at least
play or whatever, maybe a one competition can be gone,”
penalty here or there, that’s he said. “That’s no problem
not too important. for us, we’re just ready for the
“The performance level is next challenge.”
The Champions League is heating up with quarter-final ties beginning this week
DPA world. Old Trafford master-class to go through.” City’s domestic are still operating under re-
BERLIN Atletico have also not won bringing a 1-0 win on the challengers Liverpool, pursu- strictions after owner Roman
the Champions League, los- counter-attack to triumph 2-1 ing an unprecedented quad- Abramovich was sanctioned by
THE contrast between the ing two agonizing finals under on aggregate. ruple trophy season, travel to the UK government due to the
managerial styles of Pep Guar- Simeone to city rivals Real Ma- But a dominant first leg Benfica at the same time. Russian invasion of Ukraine.
diola and Diego Simeone could drid in 2014 and 2016, but they showed they can also take “It’s where we want to But manager Thomas
scarcely be greater but this also receive plaudits aplenty the initiative when desired be, fighting for all competi- Tuchel insisted there is no
clash of styles means Man- - albeit for their defensive or- through attackers such as An- tions,” said defender Joe need for “crazy stuff now ... We
chester City hosting Atletico ganization and tactical disci- toine Griezmann and Joao Fe- Gomez. “We know it’s going to do what we need to do to pre-
Madrid on Tuesday is a fas- pline. lix so City cannot afford to take be a big run-in, hopefully with pare the next match as good
cinating Champions League “(Simeone) is a master for anything for granted. us being successful in all of as possible, it doesn’t matter
quarter-final. the knockout stages,” Guardio- “We know they are one them.” Chelsea, who defeated if it’s [against] a big name or
Premier League leaders la told the City website. of the strongest teams in the City in last year’s final, host not such a big name, there are
City have never won the big- “There are many games Champions League,” said record winners Real Madrid only tough matches out there
gest continental prize, repeat- during the game, and he han- Atletico defender Stefan Savic. in their first leg on Wednesday for us in the last weeks of the
edly stumbling in the knock- dles different types of games “But I think we have the qual- when Bayern Munich visit Vil- season.” The quarter-final sec-
out stages despite Guardiola perfectly.” Atletico defeated ity and strength to face this larreal. ond legs are next week with the Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah takes part in a train-
assembling one of the most ad- City’s Manchester neighbours game against Manchester City A 4-1 home defeat at Brent- final relocated to Paris from St ing session at the Liverpool FC training ground in Liverpool, north
mired footballing units in the United in the last 16 with an and we will have our chances ford has shaken Chelsea who Petersburg on May 28. west England, on Monday. (AFP)
Los Angeles Lakers’ play-in hopes dim as they lose again Poland’s Swiatek confirmed as women’s
tennis world number one
AGENCIES ers missed LeBron James, in terms of just working to- progress to the play-ins. Guys feel like, ‘OK, what could BERLIN: Iga Swiatek of Poland was confirmed as the new world
who has a sore ankle. gether to get this thing right. Two teams from each divi- we have been if I was healthy number one in women’s tennis after the retirement of Ash Barty in
THE Los Angeles Lakers’ bid “It sucks,” said Lakers “And it’s just disappoint- sion can then secure a place in all year, [LeBron James] was rankings published by the WTA on Monday.
to reach the play-ins has been coach Frank Vogel. “Sucks ing to come in to keep saying the end-of-season play-offs. healthy, [Kendrick] Nunn was The 20-year-old’s rise to the top was already certain last week
put in serious doubt by a sixth telling these guys after every we fell short.” The Lakers, 17- Anthony Davis, who top- healthy’. and she celebrated in style with an emphatic weekend victory over
consecutive defeat in going game, ‘I’m proud of you. Good time NBA champions, sit 11th scored for the Lakers with 28 You think about those Naomi Osaka in the Miami Open. Swiatek has a best 6,711 points
down to the Denver Nuggets. effort. We lost.’ “So, it’s not in the Western Conference, points, said: “I think the big- things. We put this team to- with Czech Barbora Krejcikova her closest pursuer on 4,975.
Nikola Jovic had 38 points fun, but it could be worse. It’s having been beset by injuries gest thing that I think about gether and it looked good on On the men’s side Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has 8,420 points to
and 18 rebounds as the Nug- easy to unravel. Our group has throughout the season. personally is what we could paper, but we haven’t had a lead narrowly from Russian Daniil Medvedev, on 8,410.
gets won 129-118, with Will stayed together. They’re put- Teams from seventh to have been, had we stayed chance to reach that potential Medvedev, currently competing as a neutral due to the invasion
Barton adding 25 points. ting up the good fight. Their 10th in the Eastern Confer- healthy all year. with guys in and out of the of Ukraine, missed the chance to go top in Miami and now faces a
Playing at home, the Lak- attitude has been wonderful, ence and Western Conference “What could we have been. line-up.” spell on the sidelines with a minor operation. (DPA)
Freiburg to appeal game result FIFA chief Infantino calls for
Rossi stadium honour in Italy
after Bayern substitution fiasco DPA
BERLIN
DPA in an 86th minute double
FRANKFURT substitution. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for
The confusion arose as Italian authorities to honour the legacy of Paolo
FREIBURG decided to appeal Coman’s old number was Rossi by naming the Stadio Olimpico after the
the outcome of their Bundes- shown rather than his current former forward.
liga loss to Bayern Munich on 11. Bayern led 3-1 at the time. Rossi scored six goals to claim the Golden
Saturday in which the cham- The sports court of the Boot and Golden Ball as Italy lifted the 1982
pions played a brief spell with DFB will now deal with the World Cup, while he was awarded the Ballon
12 men following a botched case. The federation said d’Or in the same year - the only player to win all
substitution. that the court will first obtain four trophies in the same year.
Monday’s decision to ap- statements from the parties During that competition, Rossi guided his
peal comes “after intensive involved in the proceedings. side into the knockout stages as his hat-trick
discussions at various levels Freiburg had until mid- propelled Italy to a 3-2 group-stage victory over
and a legal examination,” night (2200 GMT) to submit a formidable Brazil team, which included leg- FIFA President Gianni Infantino. (AFP)
Freiburg said. The club, how- their appeal in writing. If they ends Socrates and Zico.
ever, stressed that they were had waived their right to ap- Rossi still remains Italy’s joint-top scorer at mer IFF president Artemio Franchi.
“in a dilemma through no German referee Christian Dingert (right hidden) speaks with Bayern peal, no further action would World Cups, with his nine goals only matched “So, please I’m saying this to all the direc-
fault of our own” as they had Munich players during an interruption of the German first division be taken by the DFB. by fellow attackers Roberto Baggio and Chris- tors here. Please, help us, I think Paolo deserves
no influence on the events Bundesliga football match SC Freiburg v FC Bayern Munich in Freiburg, Match official Christian tian Vieri. it.” Infantino also recalled a meeting with for-
surrounding the substitution. southern Germany recently. (AFP) Dingert will also escape sanc- The former Vicenza and Juventus striker mer referee Abraham Klein, who officiated the
Freiburg added that the tion, DFB referee chief Mi- died aged 64 in 2020, and Infantino implored meeting between Italy and Brazil in 1982 and
German football federation rules.” The possibility of hav- to lodge an appeal, the club chael Fröhlich said at a media the Italian Football Federation (IFF) to mark ruled out what would have been Italy’s fourth
(DFB) legal and procedural ing answered questions that said. work shop. Rossi’s legacy by naming Lazio and Roma’s Ol- goal through Giancarlo Antognoni.
regulations “burdens the arose in connection with the Bayern won 4-1 at “I’d find that fatal as a impico stadium after him. “Among other things, he admitted that An-
completely uninvolved club - mistake and the creation of a Freiburg but played a few message,” he said. “You have “What are we waiting for to name the Ol- tognoni’s goal [that was disallowed for offside]
in this case us - with the re- future legal basis for compa- seconds with 12 players after to say: a mistake has hap- impico after Paolo Rossi? There isn’t another was valid, so let’s rectify the result, it ended
sponsibility for dealing with rable cases were among the winger Kingsley Coman failed pened that everyone had a Italian who has given more to this sport,” he 4-2,” he added on Klein before discussing the
an obvious violation of the reasons why Freiburg decided to leave the pitch as intended part of.” said on Monday at an event to remember for- legacy of Franchi.
14 Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Sports
Bangladesh A CAREER TO REMEMBER
collapse as
spinners help
SA take 1-0
series lead
ICC-CRICKET.COM
BANGLADESH were bowled
out for a paltry 53 in the second
innings, their second-lowest
total in Test history. Keshav
Maharaj was the wrecker-in-
chief with the ball, finishing
with figures of 7/32 in 10 overs.
Simon Harmer picked up the
other three wickets as the Pro-
teas finished a 220-run demoli-
tion of the visitors.
The damage was done in
the six-over passage of play
towards stumps on day four
where South Africa picked up
three wickets after setting a
final-innings target of 274.
The win consolidates their
second spot in the World Test
Championship standings
where they are currently be-
hind Australia with a win per-
centage of 66.66. Bangladesh,
on the other hand, find them-
selves towards the bottom of
the table at 8th spot with a win
percentage of 20.
The visitors were always
behind the eight ball despite
Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s centu-
ry in the first innings. Harmer,
playing his first Test since No-
vember 2015, grabbed a four-
for, giving Proteas a crucial 69-
run lead going into the second
innings.
Elgar was the star with the
bat for South Africa with a fifty
in each innings, including a
crucial 64 that took South Afri- New Zealand Cricket Chairman Martin Snedden (L) poses with New Zealand’s Ross Taylor after Taylor’s last match for New Zealand during the third one-day international (ODI) cricket match between New Zealand and
ca to 204 in the second innings Netherlands at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Monday. (AFP)
and helped set Bangladesh a
Reliving Ross Taylor’s top
tough target.
Resuming at 11/3 on day
five, Bangladesh were pegged
back early as Mushfiqur Rahim
was back in the pavilion in the
very first over of the day. Ma-
moments in NZ colours
haraj trapped Rahim plumb in
front of the wickets for a duck
and followed it up by dismiss-
ing Liton Das for 2, reducing
them to 16 for 5.
Yasir Ali and Najmul Hos-
sain Shanto, in an attempt to
break South Africa’s momen-
tum, tried playing some ag- Playing his final match against Netherlands in his hometown Hamilton, an emotional Ross Taylor could not hold back the tears
gressive shots, but Maharaj
struck once again, bringing up ICC-CRICKET.COM eventually finished at 333/8, a ments of his career where he Australia in Perth (2015)Tay- of 336 against a formidable competitive total of 239, be-
his five-for by knocking off Ali’s score that helped them secure made headlines for his awe-in- lor batting against Australia England side in Dunedin in fore New Zealand’s bowling
off stump with a beauty of a de- ROCK-SOLID resistance a 115-run win to complete a spiring batting performances in Perth (2015) Taylor’s finest 2018. New Zealand stumbled restricted India to 221 to romp
livery. Harmer soon got in on and ruthless batting prow- 3-0 series whitewash. that won the Blackcaps great performance in Tests came at the beginning, with open- into their second straight
the act. After getting smashed ess - Ross Taylor showcased it Taylor, 38, walked back to laurels over the years. against Australia in 2015 at ers Martin Guptill and Colin World Cup final.
for a six down the ground by both during his 16-year-long a rousing reception at the Sed- the WACA, Perth, when he Munro both registering ducks.
Shanto, the off-spinner hit international career, which don Park. Winning the ICC World smashed the highest score by But Taylor’s determination on A blistering World Cup
back with the scalp of Mehidy featured astonishing achieve- From winning the inaugu- Test Championship a New Zealand player Down the day ensured New Zealand century against Pakistan
Hasan for a duck. ments and countless memo- ral ICC World Test Champi- Under – 290 in 374 balls. scampered home safely with
Shanto and Taskin Ahmed ries to cherish. onship to scoring the highest A dependable force in the The memorable innings, three balls to spare. His brisk On his 27th birthday, Tay-
were the only two batters who Playing his final and 450th score by a New Zealand batter New Zealand camp, Taylor’s which spanned over nine knock was laced with 17 fours lor smashed an unbeaten 131
reached double digits for Bang- international match against in Australia, Taylor was a part search for an ICC title for his hours featured 43 fours and and six sixes. against Pakistan in the ICC
ladesh in their second innings. Netherlands in his hometown of several glorious moments country ended when they de- helped the Black Caps save Men’s ODI World Cup 2011
Shanto’s resistance finally Hamilton, an emotional Ross for New Zealand and retired feated India in the ICC World the Test after Australia scored Fighting fifty in semi-final Group fixture in Pallekele.
ended when he perished for 26, Taylor could not hold back the as the country’s most prolific Test Championship Final in a towering 559/9d in the first against India A Player of the Match wor-
thanks to a smart stumping by tears as he entered the arena run-getter across formats – Southampton in June 2021. innings. thy performance, Taylor un-
wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne. in New Zealand colours for 18,199 runs at a highly impres- Taylor remained unbeaten at With the ICC ODI World leashed carnage to help New
Maharaj picked up a wicket one last time. sive average of 42.72. 47 in a run-chase of 139, com- Match-winning 181* Cup 2019 Final on the line, Zealand add 92 runs in the fi-
each in his final two overs and Taylor walked in to bat Taylor played 112 Tests, pleting the task with a trade- versus England New Zealand’s talismanic Tay- nal five overs to take their total
completed his seven-for as when New Zealand were cruis- 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is mak- mark flick in the final session lor rose to the occasion once to 302/7, laying the founda-
Bangladesh folded for 53. ing along at 215-2 and scored ing him the only record holder of the Test. Taylor’s knock of 181 not again, starring with a match- tion of a comprehensive 110-
14 off 16 balls in his final ap- of a unique achievement of be- out against England in Duned- defining 74 off 90 deliveries run win. An innings best re-
South Africa 367 & 204 beat pearance, getting out caught ing the only cricketer to make Career-best 290 against inTaylor’s knock of 181 not out in the first semi-final against membered for his fiery assault
Bangladesh 298 & 53 (Shanto and bowled to Logan van Beek 100 appearances in each of the Australia against England in Dunedin India at Old Trafford, Man- on Shoaib Akhtar was another
26, Maharaj 7-32, Harmer 3-21) in an attempt to push the scor- three international formats. Taylor’s ODI best of 181* came chester. Taylor’s exploits with reminder of his skills as a su-
by 220 runs ing-rate further. New Zealand Here are the top five mo- Taylor batting against during a challenging run-chase the bat helped his side set a preme all-round batter.
Alcaraz: ‘I’ve realised I can beat the top players in the world’
a surprise when he arrived, I
With the win, Alcaraz jumped all the Youngest didn’t know anything.
way up to number 11 in the world winner
“It was a big surprise and I
was really happy [to see him]
- I’m really happy to win my
DPA pect this,” he said. Alcaraz defeated Casper first Masters 1000 title with
MIAMI “My goal was to end this Ruud 7-5 6-4 in the final, him here.” With the young
year in the top 15, and now making the 18-year-old the Spaniard now drawing com-
CARLOS Alcaraz said he I’m at 11, close to the top 10. youngest ever winner in parisons to Spanish superstar
never expected to have such I’m going up so fast, and I Miami, beating Novak Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz said it
a meteoric rise so early in his think it’s [because of] all the Djokovic’s previous record can only be a good thing.
career after winning his first hard work I’m putting in eve- “If people are comparing
ATP Masters 1000 title at the ry day.
when he won it aged 19 you with Rafa, that means
Miami Open. “Of course my experience you are doing great things,
Alcaraz defeated Casper from last year has helped me los Ferrero, who surprised and you are doing it the right
Ruud 7-5 6-4 in the final, a lot - playing Rafa [Nadal] him the day before the final way,” he said.
making the 18-year-old the in Madrid, against [Alexan- after being absent throughout “I’m trying to not think
youngest ever winner in Mi- der] Zverev in Acapulco - you the tournament, mourning about that - Rafa is Rafa, and
ami, beating Novak Djoko- have to live that experience to the death of his father back in I am Carlos Alcaraz - Rafa is
vic’s previous record when he learn. Spain. one of the best players in the
won it aged 19. “When I started playing “Juan Carlos [Ferrero] history of tennis, and I am a
With the win, Alcaraz tennis when I was five or six, played everything that I’m young man living his dream.
jumped all the way up to I wanted to be number one in playing, he has experienced “I looked up to Rafa when
number 11 in the world. the world, and this year I’ve all that I am experiencing I was young, he inspired me
Speaking to Tennis Chan- realised I can beat the top right now, so he has helped a lot, watching his big match-
nel after his triumph, Alcaraz players in the world.” me a lot,” he said. es, so to be around him in
said he has already exceeded Alcaraz was buoyed by the “It’s amazing to have Juan the tour, and to be able to
his goals for this season. presence of his coach, former Carlos here with me - I talk play against him, is pretty Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns a shot to Casper Ruud of Norway during the men’s final of the Miami Open
“Of course, I did not ex- world number one Juan Car- with him every day, but it was special.” at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sunday. (AFP)
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