Scrapping QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Tokyo 2020 QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Games was never an option, says IOC chief Bach THURSday, JULY 15, 2021 page 14 Thrilling start as held to a 3-3 draw by Panama in Houston Agencies Houston (Texas)

Qatar were held to a 3-3 draw by Panama at the BBVA Sta- dium in the opening match of Group D in the 2021 Gold Cup. Despite taking the lead on three occasions courtesy of goals through attacking trio , Al Moez Ali and Hasan Al Haydos, respective- ly, the Asian Champions failed to maintain supremacy over the 2018 World Cup finalists Panama in a memorable sec- ond half which saw both sides score three goals each. Group D Country MP W D L GF GA GD Pts Honduras 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3 Panama 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1 Qatar 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1 Grenada 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0 Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos celebrates after scoring the third goal off a penalty kick against Panama on Tuesday. The match, which was delayed for two hours due to plentiful rainfall, saw Qatar coach Felix Sanchez deploy a five-man backline with young- ster Homam Al Amin making the starting eleven on the left flank. With skipper Hasan Al Haydos sitting at the base of the attacking triangle. Qatar’s first foray into at- tack came inside the opening ten minutes, as Al Moez Ali set up Akram Afif inside the box only the keeper to beat, but his shot soared across the crossbar. Panamanian goalkeeper Luis Mejia then came up with a vital save in the 31st minute to deny Qatar’s . The Gulf nation came closer just minutes later, in the 33rd minute, off a free kick opportunity. whipped in a dangerous ball into the box that slipped out of Mejia’s Qatar’s Almoez Ali (right) battles for the ball with Panama midfielder Armando Cooper during their Group D gloves. Still, Panamanian de- CONCACAF Gold Cup match at the BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas, US, on Tuesday. Qatar had a large support of fans at the BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. fender Francisco Palacios was there to clear the ball and avert Blackburn found the back of the day, Honduras scored any danger. of the net once more in the a free-wheeling 4-0 win over Mejia would deny Ali once 58th minute, smashing home Grenada. ‘Qatar’s Gold Cup debut more in the 35th minute as a ball around the penalty area Honduras were gifted a the last line of defence follow- from a Barcenas service into first half lead when Grenada’s ing the Qatari forward’s nifty the box. goalkeeper Reice Charles- a proud moment’ skills to find separation and The following two goals Cook was caught on the ball shoot towards goal. would come right from the by Jerry Bengtson, with the QFA team in Houston to participate The match’s opening goal penalty spot as the two nations forward able to prod the ball HOUSTON (Texas) in the CONCACAF Gold Cup arrived in the 49th minute, as would trade fouls in the box. into the net. matches. Our team’s partici- Akram Afif finished an elabo- Hassan Al Haydos re- The second came after the Rashid bin Abdullah Al De- pation in this tournament has rate play by the 2019 Asian gained Qatar’s lead in the break when Edwin Solano hami, Consul General of the proven once again that champions. 63rd minute before Eric Davis scored his first international State of Qatar in Houston, is committed to developing the Panama didn’t take long would tie the match for the goal after being sent clean Texas, has lauded the team’s squad by playing at top events, to answer, capitalizing on a third time in the 79th minute through. Gold Cup debut as historic. and demonstrates our com- corner kick opportunity cul- of play. Johnny Leveron scored the Qatar became the first mitment to our multidimen- minating with Rolando Black- With a point apiece, Qatar goal of the game in the 86th Arab country to feature in the sional connect to the world”. burn heading the ball into the prepare for Grenada, while minute, with the defender hugely popular football tour- He concluded his state- Rashid bin Abdullah Al Dehami, Consul General of the State of Qatar net in the 51st minute. Panama’s next test will be finishing impressively after a nament against Panama on ment by saying: “Once again, in Houston, Texas, United States of America. Qatar then answered with a Honduras. flowing Honduras move. July 13. I extend a warm welcome to second goal, as Afif went from A 4-0 victory was sealed The Consul General said: our national team in Houston. look forward to the support of nada on July 20. goalscorer to assist man, send- Honduras cruise by Romell Quioto after he “The Consulate General of I extend my best wishes for our Houstonian fans.” Qatar, Qatar now becomes the ing a through ball to Ali for the past Grenada was put through one-on-one the State of Qatar is proud to success to our national team the Asian champions, take on second Asian team after Korea lead in the 53rd minute. In the second Group D match against Charles-Cook. welcome our national football and the State of Qatar, and we Honduras on July 17 and Gre- to feature in the tournament.

Coach Sanchez satisfied with team’s show, draw Al Gharafa unveil Stramaccioni as their new coach : Al Gharafa Club announced the appointment of Italian coach Tribune News Network iard said. Andrea Stramaccioni to supervise their football team in the new “Despite the defensive QNB Stars League season (2021/2022). This came during a press Qatar’s head coach Felix errors that appeared in this conference held this evening at the club’s headquarters, where the Sanchez expressed his satisfac- match, I am confident that we newcomer was unveiled to the local media. Stramaccioni said: “I will tion after his side’s 3-3 draw can overcome them in the up- be up for a new challenge. I have some information about the Qatari against Panama in the Gold coming matches, and one of clubs, including Al Gharafa Club, which has many previous titles. I Cup in Houston on Monday. the good things that happened received the task to work hard and get the team back on the right The Asian Champions, in the meeting was to show track.” The new coach indicated that the professional players have playing in the championship Qatar coach the team that it does not give not yet been chosen, but we will undoubtedly choose the best play- for teams from North America, Felix Sanchez. up, as evidenced by the fight Al Gharafa’s new football coach An- ers who are able to provide the best for the club, and this matter Central America and the Car- back we showed on three occa- drea Stramaccioni with club officials. will be done through coordination with the head of the football staff ibbean as part of their prepa- sions,” he added. and the club president, and then all the remaining matters will be rations for the 2022 World The Panama coach announced. He added that his training philosophy depends on achieving victories and will work to transfer Cup at home, took the lead claw back into the game. We Spaniard added. stressed that his team faced a them to the players. In addition, his thoughts are completely identical to the aspirations of Al Gharafa, three times but were pegged have to work to correct our Meanwhile, the Panama’s strong Qatar team with good indicating at the same time that he knows many active players in the Qatari league. For his part, team back by the Panamanians. The mistakes. But in general I am coach Thomas Christiansen players in attack. manager Mujib Hamid confirmed that the team seeks to compete for titles in the new season, as it will hold game in Houston was delayed satisfied because the players said defensive error cost them “I knew we were facing a camp in Germany in preparation for the league competitions, and in the coming days the professional by nearly two hours after a se- did their best in the match the game. a strong opponent in Qatar. file will be completed by selecting players capable of providing the best for the team. Hamid explained that vere weather warning. and the draw is a good result “We committed many de- They were good in attack, es- the German camp will include four friendly matches, which will start on August 6 and continue until August Sanchez said: “First of all, to start a tournament. Al- fensive mistakes that made pecially with their speed and 26. Al Gharafa had officially contracted the Italian coach a few days ago, to replace former coach Serbian a beginning of the tourna- though the Panamanian team us concede three goals, so we this is why we conceded three Jokanovic. The team also decided to release four foreign professionals – Ivorian Sergen Cannon, Mexican ments is always difficult. We initially tried to close the have to work more during our goals. I was not surprised by Hector Moreno, Algerian Adlan Qaddoura, and South Korean Jachul. Al Gharafa club management kept only went ahead three times but spaces, we managed to create remaining two matches to cor- the strength of their attack,” two former professionals, namely Algerian Sofiane Heni and Ivorian Jonathan Kodjia.(QN A) our opponent managed to opportunities to score,” the rect these mistakes,” the Span- Christiansen said.