Sports Monday, January 18, 2021 13

FOOTBALL & CULTURE Qatar 2022 will set a benchmark for future World Cups: Younis Mahmoud Mahmoud captained for ten years with 148 international caps earning a reputation as one of the greatest strikers in Asian football raq’s legendary captain Younis dous experience that hopefully will leave be- Mahmoud understands football’s power It will undoubtedly raise the level of hind a fruitful legacy for generations to come. to unite millions of people. When he led ambition for all Arab countries, both Seeing first-hand the level of detail and com- the Lions of Mesopotamia to Asian Cup on and off the pitch. National teams mitment to sustainability and excellence that glory in 2007, the team’s victory played a will be even more encouraged to goes into every aspect of preparation is some- crucialI role in promoting peace throughout compete at a higher level, thing that fills all people from the region with the war-torn country. Mahmoud captained pride. Over the years, I have been able to wit- Iraq for ten years during a career that earned particularly after the world’s most ness the way football has been a transforma- him 148 international caps and a reputation important football event takes place tive force in Qatar and throughout the region. as one of the greatest strikers in Asian foot- in their own region. Off I also know that this process of change will ball history. the pitch, football continue to unfold long after the tournament Although Mahmoud never led his team authorities will ends through the many legacy programmes to the FIFA World Cup finals, he continues compete to host that have been put in place by the SC. to work closely with the football family in more global Iraq to better prepare his national team to sporting events, You have played in several World reach Qatar 2022. For Iraqi fans worldwide, Cup qualifiers with your country Iraq. appearing on the global stage is an elusive investing more in What does the tournament mean to dream for an entire generation that is too building the you as a player, and also as a fan? young to remember the country’s last World necessary Although I was never fortunate enough Cup appearance in Mexico in 1986. Iraq’s former football captain Younis Mahmoud infrastructure. to qualify to the finals of the tournament, On a club level, Mahmoud spent many having played in qualifiers and as a fan of the years in the , representing to meet, learn about different traditions and This unique feature was something that World Cup myself, I can tell you that it is a the competition’s top sides and winning sev- celebrate the beautiful sport at a time when tournament organisers promised the world tournament that occupies a very special place eral accolades, including top scorer several so many people have suffered through this from the outset of the bidding process in ing in the tournament? in the heart of Iraqi fans around the world. times and winning the league title three years pandemic. 2010. It’s one of the many ways that Qatar Having lived and played in Qatar for It is the dream of every player to partake in in a row with Al Gharafah. His knowledge of 2022 will be a unique tournament that will many years, the temperatures at that time of the World Cup, and the wish of every fan to Qatar’s football culture and his involvement What impact will Qatar 2022 have set the benchmark for all World Cups moving year are ideal for football. When combined cheer for them on the biggest stage. As a for- with Qatar 2022 as an ambassador for the Su- on football in the region? forward. Giving fans the potential of attend- with the availability of innovative cooling mer player, I continue to support the dream preme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) It will undoubtedly raise the level of am- ing more than one match a day in person will technology at stadiums, the weather will not of millions of Iraqi fans to see their team in gives the talismanic striker strong insight into bition for all Arab countries, both on and off change the way fans interact with the World play any adverse role whatsoever. More im- the World Cup by working closely with the what the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will the pitch. National teams will be even more Cup. Whereas in the past, fans had to usually portantly, perhaps, will be that this World football family in the country to put in place mean to fans in the region and beyond. encouraged to compete at a higher level, travel long distances between stadiums, Qa- Cup will come in the middle of the European the necessary groundwork for us to qualify to SC recently got caught up with Mahmoud particularly after the world’s most impor- tar will offer a highly connected experience, domestic season, where most of the world’s Qatar 2022. to talk about the tournament, its legacy and tant football event takes place in their own with fans always being close to tournament top footballers play. This means that they More broadly, as a fan, I want to see the some of its unique characteristics. region. Off the pitch, football authorities will venues, fan zones and cultural sites. The re- will be at the peak of their fitness as opposed continued success of Arab teams in the tour- compete to host more global sporting events, sult will be a month-long festivity that will be to being fatigued from a lengthy season. This nament, hoping that we can see a side from How important is it for the Middle investing more in building the necessary remembered for a lifetime. will surely mean that fans will be treated to the region make it to the latter stages of Qatar East and to host the FIFA infrastructure and local capacities to do so. From a player’s perspective, having some exceptional performances, making the 2022. World Cup for the first time? Either way, Qatar 2022 will prove to be a wa- spent years traversing the expansive Asian tournament even more memorable. It will provide a much-needed opportu- tershed moment for millions of football fans continent with the Iraq national team, I can Finally, what is your favourite Qa- nity for the rest of the world to rid themselves across the Middle East. tell you that being able to stay and train in Tell us about your work as an am- tar 2022 stadium and why? of the many negative stereotypes they have one base camp throughout the tournament bassador with the SC, which is tasked They’re all beautiful and unique in their about the region. By experiencing both Arab With the furthest stadium being is something that all participating teams are with tournament preparedness and own right. Personally, Al Janoub Stadium is culture and the world-class infrastructure only 46km from city centre and looking forward to. fan experience for Qatar 2022. How my favourite because of it being located in that will be in place for the tournament, fans the closest a mere 7km away, Qatar important is that for you as a former Al Wakrah, a city that I played in for a long from different countries will have the oppor- 2022 is set to be the most compact In 2022, the World Cup will take player from the region? time when I was with the Qatar Stars League. tunity to reimagine the way they see this part version of the World Cup in modern place between 21 November and 18 It’s an honour both for me and Iraq. Hav- And of course, because the stadium’s concept of the world. As with all World Cups, Qatar history. What impact will that have on December. What will that mean for ing the opportunity to play a role in delivering was designed by Dame Zaha Hadid, a fellow 2022 will allow fans from all over the globe fans and players? those both attending and participat- the first World Cup in our region is a tremen- Iraqi. (Sc.qa) Manchester United stay top after draw at Liverpool; Tottenham fourth

DPA London

Manchester United held on to top spot in the Pre- Bayern Munich’s German forward Thomas Mueller celebrates with mier League after a 0-0 draw teammates scoring during the German first division Bundesliga match at champions Liverpool on against SC Freiburg in Munich on Sunday. (AFP) Sunday. Alisson made two good saves for Liverpool while Thi- ago and Roberto Firmino went Bayern end mini-slump close for the hosts as United remained top, two points clear with win over Freiburg of Leicester and three ahead of Liverpool. DPA cht Frankfurt as the seventh- Manchester City can go Berlin placed side sealed a 3-1 win at second if they beat Crystal home to bottom team Schalke. Palace in the day’s late match. Bayern Munich returned The Serbia forward struck Tottenham Hotspur are fourth to winning ways with a bat- twice as a second-half substi- after a 3-1 win at bottom side tling 2-1 victory at home to tute after American teenager Sheffield United. Freiburg on Sunday which ex- Matthew Hoppe, the hat-trick United manager Ole Gun- tended their lead at the top of hero last weekend as Schalke nar Solskjaer said his side the Bundesliga to four points. snapped a 30-match league could consider themselves dis- Bayern, who lost on pen- winless run, was again on tar- appointed not to win it, having alties to Holstein Kiel in the get when he equalized on 29 had the best chances. German Cup in midweek hav- minutes. “I think we grew in the ing been beaten in the league Andre Silva had put Frank- game and toward the end it by Borussia Moenchenglad- furt ahead just a minute earli- was there for us to win,” he bach last weekend, prevailed er with his 12th league goal of said. “We created two mas- in sleeting conditions. the campaign. sive chances and it was two Record-breaker Robert Bayern’s Flick made six brilliant saves by the keeper. Lewandowski’s early strike changes to the side which “We can play better than this, and Thomas Mueller’s 74th started the German Cup sec- we know that. We can be more minute winner helped them ond round game at second composed, we can have the take advantage of RB Leipzig’s tier Kiel in midweek, when the ball more. We had to defend Manchester United’s Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea catches the ball during the English Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield in 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg on Sat- holders ended up crashing out really often today. There are a Liverpool, England, on Sunday. (AFP) urday. Freiburg had won their on sudden death penalties af- couple of things for us to im- last five league games and ter a 2-2 draw. prove on. open and Alisson saved well wants to see goals. You cannot ed, but the result we got.” Ear- really well, aggressive with were always in the contest, Lewandowski was among “I’m a bit disappointed from Bruno Fernandes and force it. lier, Tottenham moved back our press and were clinical to with Nils Petersen levelling those to return from the off, right now, but a point might be Paul Pogba. Liverpool re- “These moments happen. into the top four thanks to a go 2-0 up,” Tottenham striker moments after coming on in in arguably Flick’s strongest OK if we win the next one.” Vic- mained unbeaten in 68 home You have moments where you comfortable win. Kane said. “Even in the sec- the second half. He also rat- XI from last season, and he tory for Liverpool would have games, but they have now not can’t explain why you score Serge Aurier, Harry Kane ond half, when they scored, we tled the bar in stoppage time soon had Bayern ahead after taken them back to the top. scored for three games. from all angles. Against Crys- and Tanguy Ndombele, with didn’t panic. Tanguy scored as Bayern clung on. 7 minutes with his 21st goal of With Joel Matip not fit to Klopp said he is sure his tal Palace everything ended a stunning third goal, secured a fantastic goal and we saw “We have not had an easy the league season - which is a return, Juergen Klopp played much-vaunted front three of up in the net. It’s just a bit an- victory for Jose Mourinho’s the game out well, which we period,” Bayern coach Hansi Bundesliga record from only midfielder Jordan Henderson Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane noying in between these mo- side, after David McGoldrick haven’t done in the past few Flick told a news conference. 16 games. in the centre of defence and and Firmino will find their ments.” Klopp said he could had given Sheffield United weeks.” McGoldrick said Unit- “Today it was important Moments after Bayern he and Fabinho kept Marcus touch sooner rather than later. not have asked for more effort hope. ed would continue to fight. for us to show that we really were denied a penalty for Rashford largely at bay. “There is no easy expla- from his players. They remain bottom with “We took a backwards wanted to win this game. And handball after video review, Firmino had a couple of nation (for their troubles in “I like the game,” he just five points from 19 games, step today, but there are a lot I had that feeling from the very a perfect lay-off from Muel- half chances as Liverpool were front of goal),” he said. “You said. “I saw a lot of really good 11 points from safety at the of games to go, we have to go start.” Luka Jovic, on loan ler was expertly finished off the better side in the opening always miss chances. You have individual perfomances and halfway point in the season. again,” he said. “We aren’t from Real Madrid, scored two by Lewandowski with his 45 minutes. to keep going and try to ignore the team performance was “Fantastic performance throwing in the towel, we keep goals on his return to Eintra- left foot. The second half was more the talk around it. Everyone good. Not the result we want- from everyone today - started on going.”