Qatar Seek to Lay Marker for World Cup 2022
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India register historic Test series triumph in Australia PAGE 19 TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019 Eagles edge Bears, Chargers oust ASIAN CUP 2019 PAGE 18 Ravens in NFL playoff thrillers S ARABIA VS NORTH KOREA England women’s football QATAR SEEK team to train TO LAY in Doha MARKER FOR WORLD England’s women football team will train at Aspire Zone from January 14 to 22. CUP 2022 AFP DOHA ENGLAND’S women football team will hold a winter train- ing camp in World Cup 2022 host Qatar this month, offi- cials in the Gulf and the Eng- lish Football Association con- firmed on Monday. The team will train at Do- ha’s Aspire Zone from January 14-22, said officials in Qatar, as they continue preparations for the World Cup later this year and ahead of taking part in the SheBelieves Cup, a four-team tournament in the United Most teams would regard the Asian Cup States in February and March. “The training camp in Qa- as a high point but for Qatar it is only the tar is crucial for our SheBe- lieves Cup preparation and an ideal opportunity for us to latest stepping stone work as a group as we begin an important year,” said England coach Phil Neville. It the first time the English women’s team has trained in Qatar’s striker Akram Afif during the team’s training session in Al Ain, UAE, on Sunday. Qatar are placed in Group E of the Asian Cup 2019 along with Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Qatar, although the men’s side played – and lost – a friendly in Doha against Brazil in No- Al Annabi to play Lebanon in their opening match on Wednesday vember 2009. Twenty eight players will DPA – joined Spanish side Villarreal, tar’s neighbours as co-hosts. make the journey from the ABU DHABI although he is currently back on “There are tensions in this UK to the Gulf, with the squad loan at Al Sadd, while defender particular region and it’s up to expected to be announced QATAR coach Felix Sanchez Abdulkarim Hassan was Asian their respective leaders to deal Tuesday. The women’s World leads his side into the Asian player of the year in 2018. with that but maybe it’s easier Cup takes place in France Cup against Lebanon on “Every team goes into any to talk about a joint football in June and July. England’s Wednesday with their politi- competition eyeing the title,” project than more complicated women’s team is joining a host cally-charged appearance in said Sanchez. “The Qatari things,” Infantino said at a re- of other sides – domestic and the United Arab Emirates an- team’s goal is no different. cent conference in Dubai. international – currently train- other test en route to 2022. Favourites in Group E “If it can help all the people ing in Qatar. In three years and 10 will be Saudi Arabia, looking in the Gulf and all the countries Bayern Munich and PSV months the World Cup will to bounce back from a poor in the world develop football Eindhoven are already in begin in Qatar. Only South World Cup, while North Korea and bring a positive message to Doha, with Qatari-owned Africa, in 2010, have been will also feel capable of reach- the world about football, then French champions Paris Saint- eliminated as World Cup hosts ing the knock-outs. you should give it a try.” Germain flying out on Sunday before the knock-out stage and The meeting with Saudi Whether Infantino gets his (13th). At least seven other Qatar intend to avoid that fate. Arabia, on January 17 in Abu expansion wish early – the in- club sides will train in Aspire “It’s a very important year Dhabi, will be eagerly antici- crease will definitely happen at during this month. for us as we are competing in pated around the world with the 2026 edition – or not is of Among the national teams the Asian Cup as well as the onlookers anxious to see how little real concern to them. in Qatar are Sweden and Fin- Copa America,” Hassan al Hay- the teams react given the po- “If we see that it’s in the land, who will play each other dos told a Qatar newspaper. litical situation between the benefit of football, the World in a friendly on Tuesday. “Then we have the World countries. Cup itself, and we feel like it’s The English Football Asso- Cup coming up in four years. In truth, this is not the first going to add, we would be all ciation, which failed in its bid These tournaments are part of sporting meeting between po- for it,” Nasser al Khater, As- to host the 2018 World Cup, our preparations for the FIFA Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (2nd left) during the team’s training session in Al Ain on Sunday. litical rivals and the footballers sistant Secretary-General of has previously been a critic of World Cup.” are likely simply to get on with the Supreme Committee for the decision to host the 2022 Qatar have been only a But under boss Felix in friendlies, were noteworthy before coaching the under-19, playing football. Delivery and Legacy, said last tournament in Qatar. However, modest regional power with Sanchez, in charge since July results achieved as the Doha’s U20 and U23s before taking FIFA president Gianni year. “If we feel that it’s not in in February last year, the Qatari quarter-final appearances 2017 - a veritable epoch in the Aspire academy finally seems the senior post. Infantino, who attended the favour of us or of football, we and English Football Associa- in 2000 and 2011 their best shelf-life of ever-changing Qa- to be paying dividend. He is national coach num- tournament opening game won’t go for it.” tions signed a “memorandum showings at the Asian Cup. tari coaches - things have im- Crucially Sanchez has ber 16 since the year 2000 but on Saturday, backs a sudden In 2022 the football world of understanding” in Doha to They were eliminated with proved considerably. plenty of experience with the stability is bringing reward. expansion of the 2022 World will turn to Qatar whatever “share resources and expertise, three losses out of three four A win over Switzerland players, having worked at As- Striker Akram Afif – scorer Cup from 32 to 48 teams - an happens. And their team may develop knowledge (and) un- years ago in Australia. and draw with Iceland, albeit pire for seven years from 2006 of the winner against the Swiss idea viable only by using Qa- even be competitive to boot. derstanding” of football issues. Five-star Iran purr as China, South Korea survive scares AFP finished clinically from close Fellow debutants Kyr- from time. ABU DHABI range after a shot from Sardar Results gyzstan led China 1-0 at half- Lippi, who is expected to leave Azmoun was spilled by Yemen Group D: Iran 5 (Taremi 12, time but they were left to rue at the end of the Asian Cup, MEHDI Taremi scored twice as keeper Saud Alsowadi. 25, Saud Alsowadi 23-og, a costly error by goalkeeper said he was “enormously un- Iran crushed Yemen 5-0 in the Captain Ashkan Dejagah Azmoun 53, Ghoddos 78) Pavel Matiash, whose embar- happy” at China’s first half war-torn country’s Asian Cup doubled his side’s lead in the rassing own goal put the Chi- performance, but proud of debut on Monday to fire an omi- 23rd minute with a low free bt Yemen 0 nese on course for a 2-1 win. their revival. “During the first nous warning to their title rivals. kick which cannoned in off the Group C: China 2 (Matiash Kyrgyzstan looked capable half we weren’t playing well, Team Melli’s dominant per- post and the hapless Alsowadi 50-og, Yu Dabao 78) bt of pulling off an almighty up- and I thought if we keep play- formance in Abu Dhabi was in before Taremi powered home Kyrgyzstan 1 (Israilov 42) set against China when Akh- ing like that we’re going to stark contrast to joint-favour- a bullet header moments later. South Korea 1 (Hwang lidin Israilov smashed home lose the match,” said the 2006 ites South Korea, who scraped Sardar Azmoun tapped in the opening goal just before World Cup-winning coach. past the Philippines while Chi- a fourth goal seven minutes Ui-Jo 67) bt Philippines 0 half-time in Al Ain. But China “After the reaction from na profited from a goalkeeping into the second half, by which profited from the howler of my players in the second half, howler to spark a comeback time Iran were playing some ers looked physically shattered the tournament so far when I’m happy that we won the South Korea’s Hwang Uijo (top) tackles Philippines’ defender Alvaro against plucky Kyrgyzstan. champagne football, pull- and only the woodwork pre- Matiash, attempting to claw a three points.” Silva as he kicks the ball during their match in Dubai on Monday. (AFP) Looking to end a 43-year ing off extravagant flicks and vented Mahdi Torabi adding a defensive header over the bar, Later in Dubai, prolific goal title drought since last winning back-heels that left Yemen’s spectacular sixth in injury time. batted it over the line instead. poacher Hwang Ui-jo snatched end 59 years of hurt after fail- The Koreans, runners-up to Asian football’s most coveted players chasing shadows.