ARAB GAMES DOHA 2011, ROUNDUP

Zico asks for patience after Iraq’s eliminationIraq’s 3-0 defeat by Bahrain yesterday hurt them in more ways than simply early elimination from the 2011 Arab Games football tournament.Later that night their head coach, the legendary Brazil player Arthur Antunes Coimbra - better known as ‘Zico’ - realised how painful the result was. The Iraqi media besieged the so-called ‘White Pele’ with tough questions. “I never promised you to get the gold medal at the Arab Games tournament. I just said we would do our best to achieve this target,” the 58-year-old coach said after they reminded him of a past statement about Iraq’s ambition at this tournament. Zico defended his players. “I would like to watch some young players competing in an official match and try new tactics, but it didn’t work. We failed and I take the responsibility. Blame me, not the players. “But don’t forget that this team is en route to make it to the FIFA 2014 World Cup and, please, give us some respect.”Zico became Iraq’s coach in August 2011 and seems to have a difficult relationship with the country’s press. “I don’t like your methods,” he told them yesterday. “You came here to try to kill me after a loss. Why didn’t you come to me earlier to talk about the team and ask your questions?”“We are in Iraq, but you aren’t,” a journalist replied. “You are the national coach of Iraq and instead of living in Baghdad and following our football, you prefer to stay either in Jordan or here in Doha. How can we meet you then?” Calling him ‘Captain Zico’, the Iraqi journalists continued to put the Brazilian under pressure, but he asked for more understanding. “My business in Brazil or wherever has nothing to do with my job In Iraq,” he said. “Please relax and have some patience. It’s all about sports, not war.”

Qatar’s al-Bishi storms into lead in golfQatari youngster Ali Abdulla al-Bishi fired an excellent one-under round of 71 to surge into the lead after the second round of the 2011 Arab Games men’s golf tournament at Doha Golf Club yesterday. In warm and benign conditions, al-Bishi began the day with a discouraging bogey at the par-five first, but the 17-year-old struck back to produce four birdies and a one-under back nine of 35 to jump to the head of the field on 147. “I am very happy and very proud of my performance today,” said al-Bishi. “I was five shots better today (than on Tuesday) and now I am leading the tournament. Tomorrow I hope to play just as I did today.” Overnight leader Khalid Yousuff al-Jasmi from UAE slipped up with a double-bogey at the par-four 12th, but carded a three-over 75 and is in second place just one shot back on 148.Ahmed al-Musharekh also stayed in contention by shooting a one-over 73 to be in joint second with UAE teammate al-Jasmi, while Bahrain’s Hamad Mubarak had three birdies and bogey to finish with a three-under 69 and the round of the day. Mubarak’s second round-charge made up for a disappointing 80 on day one. His 15-metre birdie putt on the 18th was never going to miss and he is now just two shots behind al-Bishi and on a roll.On the back of Farhan’s tremendous round, Bahrain (457) now lead UAE (459) by two shots in the men’s team competition with Qatar (460) overtaking Egypt (464) to make up the top three.First golfers tee-off at 07:30 today morning for round three.

Seun Ogunode out for flying startFemi Seun Ogunode is aiming to get Qatar’s bid for athletics medals off to a flying start on the first day of competition in Doha’s Khalifa Stadium at the 2011 Arab Games today.The 20-year-old sprinter is aiming for gold in the 100m, the first part of a potential sprint double and one of four men’s finals on day one.But the Qatari will have to be at his best against Moroccan record-holder Aziz Ouhadi, who beat him at the Arab Championships in Al Ain, UAE, at the end of October, and Egypt’s defending champion Amr Seoud.Omani Barakat al-Harthi is also a medal contender. He set a personal best of 10.17 this season at the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) Games and finished second to Ouhadi at the Arab Championships.The first men’s medals will be awarded in the 20km walk, where defending champion Hassanine Sebei of Tunisia looks to repeat his 2007 victory over the hosts’ Mabrook Saleh Mohamed.Qatar have medal hopes in the steeplechase, too, as 2008 Olympic finalist Abubaker Ali Kamal takes on a powerful Moroccan in Hamid Ezzine, who pipped Kamal to the Arab Championship title.Ali Zenkawi could be the man to watch in the hammer. The Kuwaiti is keen to regain the title he lost four years ago.Zenkawi beat Mohsen El Anany in 2004 but lost to the Egyptian four years ago. Egypt will provide his main threat again through Hassan Abdelgawad and Mostafa El Gamel.