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In an eagerly-awaited contest, Brazilian side Botafogo will face Mexican outfit Pachuca in the FIFA Derby of the Americas at the Stadium 974 in Doha today at 8pmBotafogo won their first CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores crown, thanks to a 3-1 win over Atletico Mineiro, on November 30th before conquering the Brasileirao title on Sunday. Pachuca stormed to a sixth Concacaf Champions Cup conquest in June. They will be keen to rewrite the wrongs of a 16th-place finish in Liga MX.The winners of this match will face Al Ahly in the FIFA Challenger Cup on December 14 back at the same venue. The winner of that tie will then take on Real Madrid in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final at Lusail Stadium – the venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 decider.Bastos, who missed Botafogo’s last three games, is back at the disposal of coach Artur Jorge, who must decide whether to reinstall him alongside Alexander Barboza at centre-back or stick with Adryelson. Mateo Ponte will deputise for the injured Vitinho at right-back, while long-time absentee Matheus Nascimento is unavailable.“The desire to win titles will overcome fatigue. We know the difficulties, but today we are proud to be here. We finished a difficult championship (Brasileirao), where we were winners. We only had one day of work here and we need to adapt to the schedule. But the team is determined,” said coach Jorge at the pre-match conference in Doha. “Botafogo has its philosophy, its stance. Playing in this competition is a wonderful feeling and now we have to give our all and make this game a historic moment,” he added.“We finished the championship on Sunday night, celebrated with the fans and then embarked on a long trip, with time differences, that lasted almost 24 hours. We only had one real day to adapt to the differences. Despite this, we are confident and prepared to face adversity. Our mentality is clear: we will be a competitive and competent team to win.”Botafogo player Alex Telles said, “Botafogo has its philosophy, its stance. Playing in this competition is a wonderful feeling and now we have to give our all and make this game a historic moment. I played at the 974 stadium in the 2022 World Cup and I am very happy to return to Qatar and play at this very special stadium. Our match tomorrow against Pachuca is difficult because it is a big and special team with great players,” he added.Pachuca, meanwhile, are without Javier Eduardo Lopez. Pachuca head coach Guillermo Almada, said, “First of all, we have been wonderfully welcomed, all of the organisation, the training setup and the availability of the hotel staff. But like I said, it is a very big responsibility but the motivation is at the fullest, as is the responsibility.”Almada also hoped for the presence of a lot of their fans at the stadium. Yes, surely (of our fans) many are going to come. They are also going to take part in this Intercontinental Cup that is a challenge for the club, for us and undoubtedly for the fans. They are going to participate in great numbers in the match.”About the Mexican opponents, the coach stressed, “I’m Uruguayan, so I’m on the border with Brazil and I know a lot about Brazilian competition. They (Botafogo) are a team with a great coach, a very large squad, with great footballers. Everything that they have achieved lately speaks for itself, for the technical and football capacity that they have. We expect that they will demand the maximum. It will be tough, but as I tell the players, believe in our work, in your teammates and compete in a final with them.”Luiz Henrique, Botafogo forward had earlier said, “We have to be very careful with their attack because it is excellent, but we can also take advantage of their weaknesses. It will be tough, obviously, it’s an extremely difficult competition. We’ll give our all to come out victorious.”Brazilian and Mexican clubs have faced off three times before in FIFA competitions. Vasco da Gama defeated Necaxa 2-1 in the group stage of FIFA Club World Cup 2000. Gremio then sunk Pachuca 1-0 in the semi-finals of UAE 2017. The sole Mexican victory came at the final-four stage of Qatar 2020, as Tigres defeated Palmeiras 1-0 in Al Rayyan.Predicted line-upsBotafogo: John, Mateo Ponte, Adryelson, Alexander Barboza, Alex Telles, Gregore, Marlon Freitas, Luiz Henrique, Thiago Almada, Jefferson Savarino, Igor Jesus.Pachuca: Carlos Moreno, Carlos Sanchez, Sergio Barreto, Gustavo Cabral, Bryan Gonzalez, Pedro Pedraza, Elias Montiel, Arturo Gonzalez, Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa, Salomon Rondon.

Arsenal must adapt to the situation of having a growing injury list, manager Mikel Arteta said, as his side prepare to face AS Monaco in the Champions League at home today with several key players set to miss out.Arsenal have concerns over the fitness of Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are already sidelined. Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey also missed full training.“It is what it is. We need to accept the reality and move forward,” Arteta told reporters on Tuesday. “We have to manage a lot of the players. Some of them probably aren’t going to be fit. Some are still a doubt. We have 24 hours to make a decision and hopefully it will be the right ones.”Kieran Tierney, back in training after six months out with a hamstring injury, could make his first appearance in European competition for Arsenal since November 2022, with Arteta pleased with the left back’s determination. “He’s ready and training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure the way the team is looking at the moment,” the Spanish coach said.“He’s going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us and because he’s willing to do it. When that happens you have to give opportunities to those kinds of players.”Arsenal are seventh in the Champions League standings, ahead on goal difference over their French opponents who began their campaign with a win over Barcelona. “I’m really impressed. You see the run that they’ve been on in the Champions League. They’re a real threat with a lot of qualities,” Arteta said.

Champions League group phase leaders Liverpool virtually sealed a place in the last 16 with a 1-0 victory at Girona on Tuesday after Mohamed Salah struck from the penalty spot. Liverpool have made a stunning start in the competition under coach Arne Slot, winning all six of their matches to move provisionally five points clear of second place Inter Milan.The English giants, six-time winners of the competition, were given a tough night by Champions League debutants Girona, who fell to a fifth defeat and are on the verge of elimination. Teams finishing in the top eight will avoid an extra round of play-off matches. Slot started fit-again goalkeeper Alisson Becker after a two-month injury lay-off and the Brazilian showed no sign of rust on a busy night.After their Mersyside derby clash at Everton was called off because of a storm at the weekend, Slot was able to pick a fresh side, going with arguably his strongest available team to try and assure a top eight finish as soon as possible.Champions League newcomers Girona, who lost several key players in the summer and are still rebuilding, opted for Arnaut Danjuma in attack with support from spritely duo Bryan Gil and Yaser Asprilla. Liverpool pinned the hosts back in the first 10 minutes and Girona stopper Paulo Gazzaniga pushed away a Joe Gomez header.After that Girona found their footing on a chilly night at their sold-out Montilivi stadium, reduced to under 10,000 capacity due to UEFA regulations, and they began to put Alisson to the test. The goalkeeper saved from Alejandro Frances and then denied former Tottenham winger Gil, who slipped as he ran through on Liverpool’s goal.Alisson also beat away a Miguel Gutierrez drive as the qualities of the side which pushed Real Madrid close for the Spanish title last season shone through. Darwin Nunez spurned Liverpool’s first big chance after Salah slipped him in, with Gazzaniga keeping out the Uruguayan striker’s low poke.Alisson was tested again early in the second half by former Bournemouth forward Danjuma. The Dutchman then gave Liverpool’s defence the slip with a clever dribble but fired over, as Slot’s words ahead of the game were proven true – Girona were better than the standings suggested after four defeats in their first five matches.Despite their valiant efforts, the Liverpool juggernaut is proving hard to stop and the Premier League leaders took the lead with a penalty won by Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger went down under a challenge from Donny van de Beek and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.Salah sent Gazzaniga the wrong way to net his 50th Champions League goal, pulling the Egyptian level with Filippo Inzaghi as the 10th highest goalscorer of all-time in the competition.The winger is out of contract at the end of of the season but his 16 goals across all competitions have been essential in Liverpool’s superb first half of the season.Slot replaced the wasteful Nunez with Cody Gakpo as he tried to see the game out, while Girona were deflated after conceding and unable to make further inroads as their Champions League dream draws towards a close.Celtic held to goallessstalemate at Dinamo ZagrebCeltic and Dinamo Zagreb played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw in the Champions League. The result leaves both sides still firmly in contention for a place in the next stage of the tournament, with the Scottish champions sitting 17th and Zagreb in 21st. Teams placed ninth to 24th in the new league format will enter a play-off round to reach the round of 16.Zagreb started their campaign with a 9-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich but have won two and drawn two of their subsequent five matches, and have eight points.Celtic have enjoyed their best recent run in European football this term under Brendan Rodgers after several disappointing seasons, and are one spot outside securing themselves a seeded draw in the play-off round.Rodgers’ side have nine points, the same as six-times winners Bayern in 13th and one more than 2023 champions Manchester City, though both sides now have a game in hand. The first half was one of few chances for either side, with none of the four shots recorded in the opening 45 minutes troubling either goalkeeper. Schmeichel made a fine save from Pjaca on 80 minutes as the tie finished goalless, breaking Zagreb’s run of 43 games in European competition without a 0-0 draw.

FIFA will confirm the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups today, with a joint bid led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal set to be awarded the former, and the latter being handed to Saudi Arabia.The awarding of hosting rights for both tournaments will go to a vote during a FIFA Congress to be held virtually, but there is no doubt about the outcomes with neither bid having a rival. The 2030 tournament will mark a century since the first World Cup was held in Uruguay, and as a result the bid will also see the South American nation handed a game along with Argentina and Paraguay.That makes it a remarkable and completely unprecedented bid, involving three different continental confederations.FIFA already confirmed over a year ago that the joint proposal led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was the sole contender for 2030, with all other potential candidacies having fallen by the wayside. A joint British and Irish bid was abandoned when they decided to focus on hosting Euro 2028, while there were suggestions of a bid from South Korea, China, Japan and North Korea.Four South American countries launched a joint bid in 2019, convinced that the centenary World Cup should entirely take place on the same continent where it all began. In late 2022, UEFA promoted a bid uniting Spain and Portugal with war-torn Ukraine in a show of “solidarity” following the Russian invasion.However, Ukraine was quietly dropped from that candidacy last year as Morocco joined forces with the Iberian neighbours, while South America agreed to step aside in exchange for being awarded the hosting of three games, one each for Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.Morocco plans mega stadiumFollowing these “centenary celebrations” in the comparative chill of the southern hemisphere winter, the six teams involved – along with their fans – will have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to play a part in the remaining 101 matches. This tentacular tournament will conclude with the final on July 21, and it remains to be seen where that game will be staged.Spain, which hosted the 1982 World Cup, is set to be the centrepiece as it boasts 11 of the 20 proposed stadiums. Morocco – which has tried and failed on five previous occasions to be awarded the staging of the tournament – will become the second African nation to host the competition after South Africa in 2010.Potential venues for the final include the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, as well as the planned Hassan II stadium between Casablanca and Rabat, which is set to become “the biggest stadium in the world” with a capacity of 115,000.Portugal, which hosted Euro 2004, will offer two stadiums in Lisbon and one in Porto, and hopes to stage a semi-final.As for 2034, FIFA invoked its principle of continental rotation, therefore only welcoming bids from Asia or Oceania – the 2026 World Cup, the first involving 48 teams, will take place across North America.Controversially, the body gave potential bidders barely a month late last year to submit candidacies, and Australia and Indonesia quickly abandoned their interest.That left Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate, clearing the way for the World Cup to return to the Gulf region following Qatar’s hosting in 2022.The kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been using sport for some time now to amass influence and improve its global image.Being handed the 2034 World Cup will be a crowning moment, and Saudi will win despite currently only boasting two stadiums with a capacity of 40,000, when 14 are required.Beyond that logistical challenge, the baking temperatures in the northern hemisphere summer could mean pushing the tournament back to later in the year, as happened in 2022.However, the fact that Ramadan will take place in December that year is an added complication.

Former Qatar national team footballer Meshal Mubarak has said that Al Annabi can win the Arabian Gulf Cup title a fourth time at the forthcoming 26th edition of the tournament to be played from December 21, 2024 to January 2, 2025 in Kuwait.Mubarak said that the twice Asian Cup champions Qatar have the presence of a distinguished generation of players who will be eager to win the Gulf Cup title for a fourth time in history, and please the fans again despite the strong competition expected in the tournament.Qatar have previously won the Gulf Cup in 1992, 2004 and 2014.Qatar are in Group A along with hosts Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates while Group B comprises Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Qatar will play their opening match against UAE at the Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium in Sulaibikhat, Kuwait, on December 21 (Saturday).Regarding his expectations for the tournament, Mubarak while speaking to QNA said that many teams have a chance to win, but the Gulf Cup is not often subject to prior calculations but the indicators may go in favour of Qatar, along with hosts Kuwait and defending champions Iraq.He stressed that it will be a good opportunity to invest in the tournament from a competitive perspective, in light of the need for seven out of the eight participating teams to raise their readiness to compete in the rest of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.The former international player Mubarak, played in the 17th edition of Gulf Cup hosted by Qatar in 2004. He said that it was one of the important tournaments in his career where Al Annabi won their second title and he considers it as an important milestone of his career and that it remains one of the historical achievements of Qatari football.He noted that Oman were strong contenders after reaching the final which was decided on penalties and won by Qatar.Mubarak, who has also previously played for Qatar SC, Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Al Gharafa and Al Ahli, added that the presence of seven teams in the third and decisive stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will reflect well on the technical level, and that the timing of the tournament will be appropriate in light of the current seasonal break for the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup, which will resume in March.The left-back, who had a professional experience with the Dutch club Feyenoord, also talked about the memories of the 15th edition of the Gulf Cup, pointing out that Qatar performed wonderfully in that tournament, in which they were one step away from winning the title.Mubarak, who also participated in two editions of the Asian Cup in 2000 and 2007, opined that the Gulf Cup championships have greatly contributed to the development of football in the region in terms of technical and administrative aspects, as well as in terms of infrastructure, noting that the upcoming 26th edition will witness strong competition.

Qatar cyclists won six medals in the Kids Triathlon Championship which started in October in Bahrain, followed by the second round in Qatar in November and concluded on December 7 in Saudi Arabia. Qatar’s Jassim Malallah al-Jaber won the gold medal in the junior category, while his teammate Shaheen Abdullah al-Kaabi won the bronze medal. In the sub-junior category, Fahad Abdullah al-Kaabi claimed the gold medal, while his teammate Khalid Jassim al-Kaabi claimed the bronze medal. Abdullah Nasser al-Misnad also won a gold medal in his category, while Muqbil Fahad al-Qahtani won silver.

Aryna Sabalenka has been voted the WTA Player of the Year for the first time after the Belarusian won two Grand Slam titles and secured the year-end world number one ranking, the governing body of women’s tennis said.After successfully defending her Australian Open trophy in January, Sabalenka won the US Open crown in September for her third Grand Slam title and leapfrogged Iga Swiatek to top the world rankings a month later.She also won tournaments in Cincinnati and Wuhan to end her 2024 campaign with four titles.International tennis media also voted for Paris Olympics gold medallists Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini as the year’s top doubles team, while American Emma Navarro was named the season’s most improved player.Ranked 38th at the end of 2023, Navarro broke into the top 10 in September after winning her first title in Hobart and making six semi-final appearances, including at Flushing Meadows, during the season.Lulu Sun won the Newcomer of the Year award following the New Zealander’s run to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon as a qualifier, which helped her climb to40th in the world after being ranked outside the top 200 in January.Former world number two Paula Badosa, who ended her 2023 season early due to a back problem that cast doubt about her future in the game, was named Comeback Player of the Year.After returning to the tour this season, the Spaniard won the Washington title and also matched her best Grand Slam performance by reaching the US Open quarters to finish the year ranked 12th.Saudi PIF names Berrettini as tennis ambassadorSaudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has named Matteo Berrettini as its tennis ambassador, a role in which the Italian will aim to help nurture the next generation of players and elevate the sport globally. The sovereign wealth fund has made significant forays into tennis in recent months, coming on board as the official naming partner of the men’s and women’s world rankings as well as partnering several tournaments.“One of my roles is to inspire the next generation, the youth, the kids,” the former world number six said in a video posted social media on Monday. “Together with the PIF I’m going to be able to do that. This is one of the greatest things I can do.” In January, Rafa Nadal was named an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, with the Spaniard saying that he was eager to help train children and grow interest in the sport. Berrettini, who has previously played in Riyadh during the Diriyah Tennis Cup in 2022, would also promote inclusivity and create opportunities at all levels of the sport, the PIF said in a statement.

Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) on Tuesday signed of an agreement with University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) to boost joint co-operation in the sports and physical health field.At the signing ceremony, QOC Secretary-General Jassim bin Rashid al-Buenain signed on behalf of QOC while Dr Salem al-Naemi, President of University of Doha for Science and Technology, signed on behalf of UDST.The agreement aims to enhance the collaboration between the two organisations across various domains, including: training, leadership development, and providing academic support to athletes nationwide. It will also cover the exchange of expertise in organizational management, consulting, human resources development, and facilitate opportunities for participation in both local and international events and competitions.Additionally, the agreement will foster cooperation in the media sector and the sharing of marketing strategies to strengthen mutual growth.Following the signing of the agreement, QOC Secretary General al-Buenain, emphasised that the partnership underscores the unwavering commitment of both institutions to advancing integrated sports programmes.Al-Buenain emphasised that the agreement also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity while advancing scientific research and specialised training to support athletes and enrich the broader community.UDST president affirmed that the agreement aligns with Qatar’s national strategy to establish sports as a cornerstone of sustainable development.“By merging sports with academic research, this initiative drives innovation, enhances athletic performance, and promotes public health,” he added, noting its critical role in realising Qatar’s vision of becoming a global leader in sports and education.

Tadej Pogacar insisted on Tuesday he would not ease off after a record-breaking 2024, declaring he was hungry for more success with a plethora of one-day classics and two Grand Tours on the 2025 menu. The 26-year-old Slovenian dominated the 2024 season winning two one-day monuments, the Italian Giro, the Tour de France and the world title on his way to 25 wins in total for the year. He will get his 2025 season underway at the UAE Tour. He will race the Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, the E3 Grand Prix, Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders before the Ardennes classics. One race off the agenda is the Paris-Roubaix, suited to heftier riders due to its harsh old cobbled mining roads. “I wanted to get back on the cobbles and I’ll do it again in the future. I’m saving Paris-Roubaix for later. But I love racing the classics.” he said in Benidrom, Spain, on Tuesday. “After the Giro-Tour thing this season, I’d like to do the Tour-Vuelta, or even the Giro-Vuelta. But the Tour is the Tour, and it will still be my priority next year, along with the Worlds,” he confirmed. As well as the Tour de France, which will run from July 5-27, Pogacar will choose between the Giro and Vuelta once the routes have been revealed. If he foregoes the Giro (May 9-June 1) in favour of the Vuelta (August 23-September 14), the Slovenian will take part in the Criterium du Dauphine (June 8-15) in preparation for the Tour de France. “What’s certain is that he won’t be doing the three big Tours next year,” Team UAE sports director Joxean Fernandez Matxin said. Pogacar is also due to defend his title at the World Championships, which will be in Rwanda in September, on a very demanding course in Kigali. “I’d like to race all three Tours one day but there are 30 riders in the team you know, and I can’t race everything,” Pogacar said. He should then end his season on October 11 at the Tour of Lombardy, the last Monument of the year, where he will be aiming for a fifth consecutive success. “Last year was an exceptional year for me. I had a great time. Everything went super smoothly, I managed to be in great shape in every race,” said Pogacar who at only 26 years old, feels “still young” and believes he can “progress”, particularly on the “small details”. Australian champion cyclist admits lesser chargeAustralian former world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis admitted on Tuesday to a charge of creating a risk of harm in relation to the December 2023 road death of his Olympian wife. Dennis pleaded guilty in Adelaide Magistrates Court to an aggravated charge of creating likelihood of harm after a car he was driving hit her, according to Australian public broadcaster ABC. Prosecutors had agreed not to proceed with charges of “causing death by dangerous driving” and “driving without due care and endangering life”, the ABC said. His lawyer reportedly told the court that Dennis, 34, did not intend to kill his wife Melissa Hoskins. Hoskins, a retired track cyclist who represented Australia at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, died in an Adelaide hospital from serious injuries after the incident. She rode in the Australian team that won the team pursuit event at the 2015 Track Cycling World Championships in France. Dennis won the world time trials in 2018 and 2019, as well as a 2015 stage win in the Tour de France.

Doha is gearing up to host the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024, a thrilling tournament featuring three matches where four of the best clubs from different continents will compete for international glory.The games are scheduled for December 11, 14, and 18, with three prestigious trophies awaiting the winning clubs in this newly re-imagined competition.The opening match will take place Wednesday at Stadium 974 and will determine the winner of FIFA Qatar 2024 Derby of the Americas. It pits CONCACAF Champions League winners Pachuca from Mexico against Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo from Brazil.Pachuca clinched their sixth CONCACAF Champions Cup title, while Botafogo recently celebrated their first South American championship. The Brazilian club also claimed their domestic league title for the first time since 1995, cementing their reputation as a rising powerhouse heading into this prestigious tournament in Doha.Stadium 974, with a capacity of 44,000, is one of the iconic venues constructed for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Having hosted seven matches during the global event, the stadium is set to host two games in the FIFA Qatar 2024 Intercontinental Cup, embodying the legacy of Qatar's World Cup and its commitment to sustainability.The second match, also at Stadium 974, is set for December 14 and will feature African champions Al Ahly from Egypt facing the winner of the Americas Derby. Al Ahly, known as the "Club of the Century," commands an enormous fan base and holds an unparalleled record of 12 CAF Champions League titles, making them the most successful team in African football history.The tournament will culminate in a grand finale on December 18, when the FIFA Qatar 2024 Challenge Cup winners will face Real Madrid, Spain's reigning UEFA League champions, at Lusail Iconic Stadium. This much-anticipated showdown will determine the world's top club for 2024 and is expected to captivate football fans worldwide.Real Madrid secured their spot in the competition after clinching their 15th UEFA Champions League title, a feat unmatched by any other European club. The Spanish giants boast a massive global following, and their participation is set to draw immense attention in the highly awaited finale.Lusail Iconic Stadium, with its impressive 89,000-seat capacity, stands as a crown jewel among the eight stadiums that hosted matches during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including its unforgettable final. The stadium has also hosted other significant events, including the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final, where Qatar claimed their second consecutive title, breaking attendance records for the tournament.In addition to hosting matches at two state-of-the-art World Cup venues, the FIFA Qatar 2024 Intercontinental Cup will utilize modern training facilities originally designed for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. These facilities will provide participating teams with an unparalleled experience, befitting the tournament's global stature.For fans visiting Qatar, the tournament offers a chance to explore the country's rich cultural heritage and vibrant landmarks while experiencing Qatar's renowned hospitality, an integral part of its cultural identity.Accessibility for fans with disabilities is a key priority. The tournament will offer audio-descriptive commentary in Arabic and English for blind and visually impaired fans, as well as a sensory assistance room at Lusail Stadium for individuals with sensory sensitivities, including those with autism. Fans requiring accessibility support can request tickets by emailing accessibility-ficsc.qa.All attendees must present digital tickets via the official FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024 app, with tickets required for everyone regardless of age. Stadium gates will open three hours before matches at Stadium 974 and four hours before the match at Lusail Stadium.To enhance the fan experience, vibrant cultural activities and live performances will take place in fan zones near the stadiums ahead of each match, ensuring a festive atmosphere for all attendees.

Pierre Gasly continued his strong run of form that he and Alpine discovered late in the season, making the most of their surge in performance to obtain sixth in the constructors’ standings in Abu Dhabi – the final race of the season.The Frenchman had scored just nine points in the 20 rounds prior to the team's remarkable performance in Brazil that saw him and Esteban Ocon both finish on the podium – a crucial boost that Gasly continued to build on to round out the year.Heading to the Yas Marina Circuit with a new teammate in Jack Doohan, who will be driving alongside the 28-year-old full-time in 2025, Gasly had one mission: to maintain the five-point lead that he had been instrumental in building over their nearest rivals, Haas.He then benefitted from Nico Hulkenberg receiving a three-place grid penalty after qualifying, which promoted him to P5 on the starting grid – while he lost out to the superior pace of Red Bull and Mercedes, he crossed the line in seventh, three seconds ahead of the Haas driver.“I’m so happy, it was a very long season,” Gasly said after the race. “We had one target coming to Abu Dhabi – it was to secure that sixth in the constructors’. Our target was achieved. There was also the drivers’ championship with Nico where we were within a point coming into the last race, so we knew whoever beat the other would get that 10th spot in the championship which I managed to get in the end. Kept our nose clean the entire season for no damage so the three targets were completed! I’m just very pleased to see the evolution and how the car’s developed – [it] really shows all the work, and the good work the team has done throughout the whole season. It gives me confidence for next season.”Alpine came out on top amid a remarkably tight midfield battle despite numerous changes at the team – from Ocon’s premature depature to shutting down their engine programme, and Oliver Oakes becoming Team Principal mid-season, it has been a rollercoaster of a season for them.Gasly appeared keen to carry their newfound performance into next season, which will be the last before major regulation changes come into effect in 2026 and the team switch to using Mercedes power units. He said: “We still have a big gap with the guys ahead but I’m very pleased to see that whatever we’re finding at the factory really translates into performance at the track."The Frenchman added: “We started very far away and I kept telling them the whole year it doesn’t matter where we start, it’s important where we finish, to really understand what we’re doing and develop the car and get some good understanding for 2025. I think we’ve never looked as strong as during these last final few races. It’s got me excited for next season – at least I’m going to be slightly more relaxed over the winter and I know they’ve got more performance coming. I think as a team we’re heading in the right direction.”Oakes praised the team’s resilience and determination throughout a challenging year, highlighting the exceptional performances of both Gasly and debutant Jack Doohan in the season finale.“It’s a great achievement to end the season in sixth place in the standings. The turnaround in the second half of the season by the team has been amazing and shows that the hard work and determination of everyone at Enstone and Viry has paid off. The team never gave up, never lost sight of the end goal, and we can take that confidence and momentum into 2025,”Oakes said.“Pierre drove a great race and did everything asked of him. He’s been at the top of his game recently and put in another top performance today to keep Nico [Hulkenberg] at bay. Jack did well today and showed promising pace, matching the cars around him on similar strategies. It’s a great learning for him to take into next year,” the Brit added.

Armenian GM Shant Sargsyan on Monday beat Indian GM Murali Karthikeyan to grab solo lead at the $110,00 Qatar Masters. Sargsyan has 5.5 points after the sixth round.Also on Monday, Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi staged a late rally to join a group of three players at 5 points each. Erigaisi, the top seed, beat Russia’s David Paravyan in round 6 of the FIDE tournament being held at Aspire Zone Hall. The Indian once again showcased his exceptional talent, securing a crucial victory under pressure.Monday’s hard-fought win not only propels the 21-year-old back above the coveted 2800 rating but also keeps his hopes alive in the FIDE Circuit race to overtake world number two Fabiano Caruana. The winner of the 2024 FIDE Circuit will secure a coveted spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. This event determines the challenger who will face the reigning World Champion in the World Championship match of 2026.Also on Monday, UAE’s top player Saleh Salem edged Iranian GM Bardiya Daneshvar to continue with his impressive form. Salem also has 5 points.Russian GM Andrey Esipenko also continued with his good form in the 10-day Doha tournament on Monday when he beat Rithvik Raja of India. Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev, a former champion in Qatar, and India’s Karthikeyan are among a group of six with 4.5 points each.Meanwhile International Master Hussein Aziz of Qatar delighted the home camp on Monday when he recorded his first victory in the tournament after he beat Polish rival Oliwia Kiolbasa, ranked 83rd. Aziz has a tally of 2.5 points.Meanwhile Mohammed al-Mudahka, President of the Qatar Chess Association (QCA), said that the final three rounds would ‘likely see intense competition among the competing players’.Al-Mudahka applauded the impressive performance of UAE’s Salem Abdul Rahman. “He has been a formidable force, challenging the top seeds and showcasing exceptional skill. He has played really well,” al-Mudahka said on Monday.Laurent Freyd, the tournament’s chief arbiter, echoed al-Mudahka’s excitement. Freyd said the final rounds would be a ‘tough phase for those wanting to win the title’ in Doha. “I believe that the chances to win the title are equal among 8 players. However, anything is possible. I also believe that we will witness the crowning of a new champion for this tournament, given the results recorded in the sixth round,” Freyd said.The chief arbiter concluded his statement by praising the high level of the tournament, stressing that the ‘fourth edition of Qatar Masters received great attention locally and internationally through the presence of the top ranked players’.The winner in Doha will get richer by $25,000. Previous winners include China’s Yu Yangyi (2013), Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (2015) and Uzbekistan’s Yakubbayev (2023).Key results Armenian GM Shant Sargsyan beat Indian GM Murali Karthikeyan; Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi beat Russia’s David Paravyan; UAE GM Saleh Salem beat Iran’s Bardiya Daneshvar; Russian GM Andrey Esipenko beat India’s Rithvik Raja

The ongoing HH The Amir Bowling Cup 2024, organised by the Qatar Bowling Federation, saw Qatar players excel on Day five of the tournament. Action in the singles with four attempts witnessed excitement and competition between players, with the entry of the world star and champion of the previous edition Swede Kim Bolleby.Qatar’s Abdulrahman al-Dosari topped the first attempt with 717 points, while Bolleby finished second place with 715 points. Canadian Nathan Lagoa was third with 693 points. Qatari Hazem al-Muraikhi came in fourth place with 689 points, and Malaysian Ahmad Moez was fifth place with 679 points.In the second attempt, Bolleby stood first with 711 points, Malaysian Tun Hakim second with 695 points, Egyptian Karim Mahmoud third with 669 points, and with the same score, Emirati Obaid al-Saadi came in fourth place. Qatari Mohammed al-Muraikhi was fifth 654 points.In the third attempt, Qatar’s Talal al-Marri achieved the full round with 300 points, which was the highest score achieved so far in the third attempt and raised his score to 765 points, which was also highest score in the four attempts. He won the award for being the highest scorer for a second day in a row. Al-Marri also strengthened his lead in the overall standings of the tournament, raising his tally to 2,274 points.In the third attempt, Qatar’s Hamad al-Mas was second with 740 points, while his compatriot al-Dosari finished third with 714 points. In the fourth and final attempt, Hazem al-Muraikhi finished first with 699 points, Filipino Marky Delcarmen second place with 642 points, while Mohammed al-Muraikhi of Qatar was third with 629 points, his compatriot Ahmed al-Ruwaili finished fourth place with 599 points. Qatari Adel Abdullah ended fifth with 596 points.

At age 33, Luis Rodriguez has experienced many things in football and has developed a knack for excelling in international tournaments. He was part of the Tigres team that won the 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup and then made history by becoming the first Concacaf side to reach a FIFA Club World Cup final.Fast forward nearly four years later and Rodriguez is in Qatar as a member of Pachuca, hoping to bring home the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024 after helping his club capture the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup last June.“When we played the Concacaf Champions Cup final months ago, it was said that it was the most important tournament that the club had in recent times because of what it meant to be in the Intercontinental Cup, but also what a Club World Cup ticket meant,” said Rodriguez to FIFA in Doha. “The truth is that we are very anxious for this to start because we have been preparing and so, yes, the team is very hungry.”It is also significant for Rodriguez on a personal level to have the chance to play in a tournament like the Intercontinental Cup, knowing that his loved ones will be following every step of the way.“Personally, I have kids and when I am far away from Mexico, I want them to see me representing first the club, then the family, Mexico and Concacaf,” said Rodriguez. “It is something that they may be too small to understand, but them seeing me from far away, I know it fills them with joy.”Pachuca get things rolling tomorrow in the FIFA Derby of the Americas against Brazilian side Botafogo at the Stadium 974, who this month have already have won the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian domestic league. Anyone who has watched Mexico and Brazilian national teams tangle in FIFA competitions knows that they produce special games. This tilt between these two club sides should be no different.“It is going to be a unique experience,” said Rodriguez. “To play against Brazilian teams is always a plus. We know the qualities that Brazilian football has. In regards to the game, I think it is going to be very interesting from both sides, so we are going to give them something to talk about.”One of the biggest hurdles that Rodriguez and his teammates have faced in this process has been the dearth of competitive matches. Pachuca last’s official fixture came on 10 November to close the Liga MX domestic season. Despite a level of inactivity in terms of matches, the tenacious nature in which they have trained should still see them in form for tomorrow’s clash.“The truth is that we have spent many days now training intensely, which is what characterises our group, so that is surely going to be reflected [on the pitch],” he said.“We have been training here and we feel more adapted to everything. It is going to be an interesting game.”While Pachuca boast many experienced, veteran heads like Rodriguez, forward Salomon Rondon and centre back Gustavo Cabral, the team is also brimming with some of the rising stars in Mexican football like Bryan Gonzalez and Elias Montiel. Rodriguez believes that the time spent in Qatar, no matter the result, will enormously benefit the club’s youth movement when they begin their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign next June.“No doubt this will help,” concluded Rodriguez. “It is going to be totally different. Right now, every game that we play is a final. To be more specific, if you win, you are able to advance, so assuredly that will help us with what we are going to experience later on. But right now, we’re going step by step. Today we are enjoying being here and we will show that on the pitch.” (fifa.com)

Carlo Ancelotti hinted on Monday that Vinicius Junior could make his Real Madrid comeback for his team’s key Champions League clash at red-hot Atalanta.Vinicius was expected to be out until the Intercontinental Cup final next week after suffering a hamstring injury last month but Ancelotti told reporters that he is in contention to start in Bergamo on tonight.“Vinicius is in good shape but we’ve got to assess him. I think it’s very important for him how he does in training today,” said Ancelotti. “But we’ve got Rodrygo back and Bellingham is good. He’s trained well. They’ll all train today and then later we’ll take a decision.”Federico Valverde is keen to have Vinicius back to help dig Madrid out of the uncomfortable position in which they find themselves in the Champions League. Madrid might be two points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand in La Liga but Ancelotti’s team are 24th in Europe’s top club competition and risk dropping out of the play-off positions for the last 16 in Bergamo.“It’s always a pleasure to play with Vinicius and also to have him as a friend, as a teammate, to have him close to me,” said Valverde. “We’ve seen how eager he is to play and come back. Obviously, it’s great for us that he can play tomorrow. Whether he plays or not, that’s a question for Carlo Ancelotti, but he can always offer something.”Madrid face probably the form team in Europe in Atalanta, who on Friday equalled a club record of nine straight wins in Serie A by beating AC Milan. That win gave Atalanta top spot in Italy’s top flight, and Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who sit fifth in the Champions League having only conceded one goal in five matches, have been tipped by some as favourites for Tuesday’s fixture even though they were beaten by Madrid in the European Super Cup.“It will be a demanding game. Atalanta are in great form and they’ve improved a lot since the Super Cup,” added Ancelotti.“They’ve won a lot of games. And they compete very well. We’ve got an opportunity to pick up points and we’ve got to take advantage of these three games to qualify. The most important thing is qualifying. We’ve got to pick up those points, and that will be difficult. Getting into the top eight looks a bit tricky so maybe we’ll have to go through the play-offs. Unfortunately that’s the way it is.”

Defending champion Ding Liren bounced back strongly on Monday to beat his teenage challenger in the 12th game and level the score in the homestretch of their World Chess Championship match. India’s Gukesh Dommaraju was forced to resign after finding his king cornered by the Chinese title holder’s white pieces which had advanced deeply into enemy territory. Ding’s victory put both players at six points apiece, with only two more games to go in the classical format chess at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa. “It’s a very important 12th game. It’s maybe the best game I played in recent times,” Ding told reporters after the match. After Sunday’s loss, the champion said he regained his energy with more sleep and some caffeine. “Today, I took a cup of coffee before the game which helped me feel much more energetic... a small cup of espresso,” said Ding, a native of Wenzhou city. Ding, 32, took control of the board early on after making the first move and dominated his opponent throughout. With the champion building a strong centre, Gukesh’s pieces were powerless to make any breakthrough. The 18-year-old challenger seemed to gain the momentum for the title when he forced Ding to resign in the eleventh game Sunday to take a 6-5 lead. But it was not to be, and he has to wait, with two more games to be played on Wednesday and Thursday after a rest day today. “Obviously, it’s not pleasant to lose this game,” said a dejected Gukesh. “At least the score is still tied and there are two more games remaining. So let’s see.” Ding’s comeback on Monday was reminiscent of the 2023 World Championship, in which he overcame a 5-6 deficit by winning Game 12 against Ian Nepomniachtchi in Kazakhstan. He eventually forced a tie-breaker against the Russian and won, becoming the first Chinese player to be crowned world champion. If both Ding and Gukesh are tied in 14 games, the match will move to a rapid-fire tie-breaker, which will be played on December 13. At his age, Gukesh is the youngest player in history to compete in the World Championship, and he is looking to surpass Garry Kasparov as the youngest undisputed world chess champion.

Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique believes his side have what it takes to defeat RB Salzburg today in a game they must win despite a nightmare start to their Champions League campaign.PSG have four points from five games and risk missing the cut for the knockout stage as they sit in 25th place - two points outside the playoff positions. However, the French side’s defeats have come against high calibre opponents, including Champions League regulars Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich plus last season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal.They can also take heart from their performances in Ligue 1, where they are unbeaten after 14 matches and have a five-point lead at the top. With a clash against 2023 champions Manchester City coming up in January, the game with Salzburg in Austria and their final group match at VfB Stuttgart could represent PSG’s best chances to earn points and rise up the standings.“There are no easy away games, either in the (French) league or in the Champions League,” Luis Enrique said on Monday. “It’s a game tomorrow that’s vitally important for us and I hope my team isn’t too affected. From the 19 or 20 games I’ve seen, I like what I see, my team gives me confidence... The magic formula is clear: create more chances than your opponents. You have to create 20, 25 or even 30 chances, which is all the better. And we have to concede as few goals as possible and make sure our opponents have fewer chances. We’re going to try and improve. We need to keep our confidence up. We have to keep pressing.”Asked if he was targeting a specific number of points to ensure PSG would reach the knockout stages, the Spaniard added: “Nobody knows how many points will be needed, it’s impossible to guess. We don’t want to get into that. We have to win the three remaining games, that’s our objective.”PSG have one of the youngest squads in the Champions League, with an average age of 24, but Luis Enrique said inexperience was not a factor in their poor showing in Europe this season. “I think our young players have experience. Those who were here last season are used to high standards,” he added.“I try to get the best out of the individual and the team. I love matches like tomorrow’s... These are games you have to win. I never line up my players according to their age but according to what I see in training.”PSG have developed a reputation over the last decade as being one of Europe’s most glamorous clubs, albeit without ever claiming the Champions League glory so coveted by their Qatari owners. Now, however, a team stripped of superstars is drifting dangerously towards mediocrity and at risk of an unthinkable early exit from the continent’s elite club competition.Ten points may be needed to advance and Luis Enrique’s team still have tough games against Manchester City and Stuttgart to come, meaning the pressure is on in Salzburg. Runners-up in 2020 and semi-finalists last season, PSG have not gone out of the Champions League before the knockout rounds since 2004/05, when their biggest name was Portuguese striker Pedro Miguel Pauleta.The departure of Kylian Mbappe after last season marked a change in policy, with PSG deciding to focus on building a new team with talented but unproven youngsters. The likes of Warren Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola, all aged between 18 and 22, are now regulars in Luis Enrique’s team, while France winger Ousmane Dembele is probably the most recognisable face.Fans are clearly not overly enamoured, with empty seats now a common sight at many PSG home matches at the 48,000-capacity Parc des Princes – that is especially concerning at a time when the club are looking at the possibility of building a much larger new ground in the suburbs.There is also uncertainty about the future of director of football Luis Campos, whose contract expires at the end of the season. However, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi is sticking by Luis Enrique, telling L’Equipe: “We have a strategy for the short, medium and long term and I have full faith in the coach and players. Our project has solid foundations and we will keep building on those.”Those foundations will nevertheless be far less solid if PSG do not rapidly improve in the Champions League, starting today.

Kylian Mbappe said he remained committed to the French national team despite not being called up for recent games, and that he respected the decisions made by coach Didier Deschamps. “The French team has always been the highest rank in football, it’s the national team. I’ve always said there’s nothing more important. My love for the French team hasn’t changed,” Mbappe said. “I’ve always given my all,” added the France captain, who has not featured for the Les Bleus since two Nations League games in early September.“You serve your country and that’s it... I always held the French national team to the highest level. I did everything possible to represent it as best as possible.”The 25-year-old striker has been hailed as one of the world’s best players and moved to Spanish giants Real Madrid in July. He has 86 caps for France but was not included in the squads for their more recent Nations League fixtures in October and November. “I can’t talk about November because it was a decision from the coach (Deschamps) and I’ll get behind what he said. I fully respect his decision because he is the boss. I wanted to go but I can’t say why,” he said. Real have struggled at the start of the season and face the threat of elimination from the Champions League group stage, sitting 24th and last in the play-off spots.“It’s not the best start to the season, either collectively or individually. We’re preparing for the moments that will count. It hasn’t met expectations but at Real you’re expected to perform in the second half of the season,” Mbappe said.

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen will serve a penalty for swearing when he visits Rwanda next week to collect his winner’s trophy, the governing FIA said on Monday.Verstappen, who secured his fourth successive championship in Las Vegas last month, was ordered to do “work of public interest’ after swearing during a Singapore Grand Prix press conference in September.The FIA’s prize-giving gala is in Kigali next week, a first for the governing body.It said after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the Red Bull driver “would undertake some work with junior competitors as part of the grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club”.The activity will involve an FIA Affordable Cross Car built locally from blueprints provided by the governing body. The Dutch driver collected a 10-second penalty in Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a first-lap collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. While Verstappen apologised to Piastri, he was less complimentary about the stewards who gave him the time penalty and two penalty points on his licence.The 27-year-old now has a total of eight points for the 12-month period, with 12 triggering an automatic one-race ban.“Could we ask for 20 seconds, stupid idiots,” he said over the radio, a reference to the two 10-second penalties he received in Mexico in October. The Piastri collision could have been disastrous for McLaren, who were fighting Ferrari for the constructors’ title and emerged on top thanks to Lando Norris winning from pole position.“I apologised to Oscar. I never want to crash with anyone, especially not Oscar who is a great guy,” Verstappen told Sky Sports television. “I went up the inside because we had a really good launch but then I realised that it was going to be tight at the apex.“I tried to stay on the kerb but unfortunately we clipped with the tyres, hooked each other and both spun. It’s not great, as simple as that.”Piastri fought back to 10th and McLaren became champions for the first time in 26 years, by 14 points.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler completed a stunning golf season by defending his title at the Hero World Challenge on Sunday to capture his ninth victory of the year.The 28-year-old American fired a bogey-free, nine-under par 63 to finish on 25-under 263 after 72 holes in the 20-man unofficial invitational event at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas.That was good enough for a six-stroke victory over South Korean Tom Kim with two-time major winner Justin Thomas third on 270.“Very satisfying,” Scheffler said. “I did a lot of good stuff today on the course, played a really solid round of golf. I got off to a good start.”Scheffler, who birdied three of the first four holes, joined host Tiger Woods from 2006-2007 and Norway’s Viktor Hovland from 2021-2022 as the only back-to-back winners of the event.Scheffler, who had not competed in a stroke-play event since winning the PGA Tour Championship in August, added to a 2024 trophy haul that includes a second Masters green jacket and Paris Olympic gold.“Feels nice to take a little break and come back and continue to play some pretty solid golf,” Scheffler said. “Very pleased with the results this week.”That includes his work on a new putting grip, which delighted him as he prepares for more rest ahead of January’s start to a new campaign.“Overall, just head home tonight and try and get some rest and continue to work on the stuff I’ve been working on this off-season to get ready for next season,” Scheffler said of his plans.Thomas, who led compatriot Scheffler by a stroke when the day began, failed to snap a win drought that has lingered since capturing the 2022 PGA Championship.Thomas followed birdies at the first and fourth holes with bogeys at the par-3 second and fifth.His stumbling start allowed Scheffler to seize the lead with an eight-foot birdie at the opening hole, a tap-in birdie at the par-5 third and a stunning birdie putt from just inside 50 feet at the fourth.Kim birdied all three par-5s on the front nine – the third, sixth and ninth holes – and sank a four-foot birdie putt at the 10th to reach 19-under.But Scheffler pitched inside four feet and birdied the ninth, then rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 10th to reach 21-under and his lead stretched to three strokes when Kim lipped out a two-foot putt to bogey the par-5 11th.Scheffler pulled away from there by sinking birdie putts on four of the final six holes, three from inside four feet and a 10-footer at the par-4 16th.