Sanchez Hails Qatar Team Spirit After Iraq Victory
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SPORT Thursday 24 January 2019 PAGE | 07 PAGE | 08 Woods ready Djokovic throughh for 2009 to semi-finals afterer challenge Nishikori retires Sanchez hails Qatar team Al Wakrah Stadium nears completion spirit after Iraq victory AFC Republic without the suspended ABU DHABI Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo, although Sanchez is adamant that their Qatar’s head coach Felix Sanchez has They are a group of absence is far from a major issue. credited Al Annabi’s ‘impressive team “These things happen in a tour- spirit’ for their memorable 1-0 victory players who work very nament and we are certain that, over former champions Iraq, which hard for the team and who whichever players come in, we will sent them into the AFC Asian Cup UAE all work towards the same maintain our level,” he said. 2019 quarter-finals. objective: Felix Sanchez “We will need to look at many Bassam Al Rawi’s sublime free-kick things before we start to plan properly in the second half of an absorbing tie and assess exactly which players will helped seal the success, as Qatar racked There is currently a good mix [in the start the match against Korea Republic up a fourth successive victory to guar- squad] of players who have come from who are always one of the top sides. antee themselves a third AFC Asian Cup the U-23s and others who are more Opposite number Srecko Katanec quarter-final appearance after experienced and who have been in the was, meanwhile, left to rue a spate of reaching the same stage in both 2000 national team for a longer time.” injuries during the game – notably to and 2011. “They all feel very comfortable midfielder Humam Tariq – which put With their last eight encounter when they play together, and we hope a distinct dent in his plans. Pictures released against Korea Republic to come at Abu we can continue in this way as we do “I believe the game was an equal by the Supreme Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium not only have this competition, but also one, and we really tried to win,” he said. tomorrow, Sanchez feels Qatar’s others in the future. We hope to get “We pushed and pushed but were Committee current campaign in the United Arab better and better. unable to score and we were very for Delivery & Emirates points to a particularly bright “Of course, this is a competition unlucky with injuries. The players gave Legacy yesterday future for his team – especially with the that we are fully focused on, but we everything, I told them to get their heads show the under 2022 FIFA World Cup edging ever closer. know that it is an opportunity to up as we have a lot of work to do in the construction “This group of players are doing improve and be ready for the FIFA future, although the injuries [against Al Wakrah very good things for Qatar, and we are World Cup in a better condition. That Qatar] definitely affected our plans.” Stadium. The very proud of them,” declared the is some distance away, but at the “We undoubtedly have a lot of stadium, which is delighted Spaniard. moment the players are doing very work to do going forward, but we have one of the eight “They are a group of players who well.” quality and we can put together a very stadiums for 2022 work very hard for the team and who Qatar will, however, head into the solid team as we showed against FIFA World Cup all work towards the same objective. game with 2015 runners-up Korea Qatar.” Qatar, is close to its completion. This eye-catching stadium will impress football fans with its elegant looks and flawless pitch. Supporters will also find plenty to do before and after matches, whether it's taking a stroll along the waterfront, buying unique local wares at the souq or discovering the area's rich history Qatari players celebrate after defeating Iraq 1-0 in AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 at a museum. match at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Record entries likely for Al Adaid Desert Challenge THE PENINSULA The first few weeks has significantly increased, DOHA of registration saw more reaching 359 cyclists and than 250 adventurous runners from 48 different The fourth edition of Al Adaid cyclists and runners from countries. Desert Challenge, set to take Qatar and all over the Last year, Dutch legend and place on March 1 2019, is world signing up for the former Olympic medalist Erik expected to be the biggest ever Dekker defended his title in the in the history of the one-day challenge. men’s UCI elite category as Fin- outdoor annual event. land’s Pia Sundstedt won her The first few weeks of reg- Cyclists will have to third straight title in the women’s istration saw more than 250 overcome seven of these dunes competition. Meanwhile, more adventurous cyclists and runners as they cover a distance of 38.5 than 60 Qataris took part in the from Qatar and all over the kms to reach the finish line, cycling event, and Fawaz Al world signing up for the chal- while runners will follow a 26.7 Hichan came on top to clinch the lenge, which will take them km route that includes four National MTB Cross Country through one of the few places in dunes. Championship title. This file photo shows elite riders in the world where the sea The UCI MTB Class-3 event Dr. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, action during the previous edition encroaches deep into the heart is organised by Qatar Cyclists in President of Qatar Cyclists, won of the desert. association with Qatar National of Al Adaid Desert Challenge. second place in the same cat- Taking place in Khor Al Tourism Council (QNTC) and is egory. He said: “Al Adaid Desert Adaid, a Unesco recognised supported by Qatar Cycling Challenge is among our top nature reserve in the south-east Federation. annual events, it offers a mix of of Qatar, the race will kick off A finish line camp will proud to continue supporting Desert said: “Thanks to the con- The Al Adaid Challenge has endurance and adventure sports, from the area next to Mawater provide an area for the partici- this annual event which has tinuous support of our sponsors, earned a reputation of being the and once again a thrilling finale Sand Dune, opposite to Sealine pants to relax and celebrate after steadily grown over the years, the previous editions achieved toughest off-road mountain bike is expected as Qatari cyclists will beach resort. the race, while a non-compet- and promises to contribute to the huge success, especially last year race in the region, attracting be competing for the national Participants will then head itive kids’ race at the camp will country’s efforts to develop the when a running competition was cycling enthusiasts and title.” towards the Inland Sea, a offer a chance for all members sports tourism sub-sector in introduced, and we will do our adventure seekers from all over Registration for the event is tranquil expanse of water that of the family to enjoy the event. Qatar.” best to guarantee that the 2019 the world, and with the intro- still open via the official website can only be reached by crossing Rashed Al Qurese from Dr. Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Al Adaid Desert Challenge will duction of a running race last www.aladaid.qa and will run the rolling sand dunes. QNTC, commented: “We are Managing Director of Al Adaid be the most successful ever.” year, the number of participants until February 26, 2019. THURSDAY 24 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 07 After third game or fourth game when I was serving, I felt pretty Kei Nishikori after retir- FOOTBALL FOOTBALL heavy to my right leg. After that I ing from the Austral- couldn’t really bend my knees and ian Open quarter-final Asian Cup, quarter-final: Asian Cup, quarter-final: couldn’t jump up. Yeah, I decided against Novak Djokovic. Vietnam vs Japan China vs Iran ACTION to stop. TODAY’S Woods ready for 2019 challenge AFP finished 23rd. 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