June 18, 2021
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Sport FRIDAYF 18 JUNE 2021 NadalN pulls out of Wimbledon, Olympics TheT goal is to prolong my career and continue to do what mmakes me happy, that is to compete at the highest level and kkeep fighting for those professional and personal goals at the mmaximum level of competition. RafaelR Nadal Sport |11 EURO 2020 - GROUP STAGE Ukraine 2, North Macedonia 1 (Group C); Belgium 2, Denmark 1 (Group B); Netherlands 2, Austria 0 (Group C) FIFA Arab Cup: 14 teams eye berths in group stage of inaugural edition Doha set to stage thrilling qualifying games THE PENINSULA — DOHA COVID-19 in the last nine QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE another crack at Qatar after fin- months. 19 June: Libya v Sudan – Khalifa International ishing behind the Maroons in Qualifying for the FIFA Arab Qatar’s iconic Khalifa Inter- Stadium their World Cup qualifying Cup Qatar 2021 will be the focus national Stadium will raise the 20 June: Oman v Somalia – Jassim Bin Hamad group. The Reds’ recent record of 14 nations when they take curtain on the qualifiers on June has been impressive, having Stadium part in single play-off matches 19 when African rivals Libya appeared in four of the last five 21 June: Jordan v South Sudan – Khalifa in Doha from 19-25 June. and Sudan clash for a spot in AFC Asian Cups, with their best Seven spots in the group Group D alongside Algeria, International Stadium performance coming in 2019 stage are at stake, as partici- Egypt and the winner of 22 June: Mauritania v Yemen – Jassim Bin when they reached the round pants from across the Arab Lebanon versus Djibouti. Hamad Stadium of 16. Prior to that, Oman won world look to secure their place Led by Spaniard Javier Cle- 23 June: Lebanon v Djibouti – Khalifa two Arabian Gulf Cup titles in the tournament, which will mente, Libya will be looking to International Stadium (2009, 2017). Their hopes of take place in Qatar from 30 make the group stage after 24 June: Palestine v Comoros – Jassim Bin featuring at Qatar 2022 remain November to 18 December. missing out on qualification for Hamad Stadium alive after they advanced to the The showpiece event will next January’s CAF Africa Cup 25 June: Bahrain v Kuwait – Khalifa third group stage of Asian zone support Qatar’s preparations for of Nations – a competition they International Stadium qualifying earlier this month. the FIFA World Cup™ and finished as runners-up in back All matches will kick off at 8pm Somalia will see this match Libyan squad arrives in Doha to take showcase the region’s passion in 1982. The Mediterranean as a huge opportunity to on Sudan in the first qualifying match for the beautiful game. Knights’ only international history, having hosted the first showcase themselves on a big to be played on June 19. As per the FIFA Rankings, honour was winning the African edition of Africa’s top compe- stage. The Ocean Stars’ hopes the following nine teams have Nations Championship in 2014. tition in 1957 before winning the of qualifying for Qatar 2022 already qualified for the tour- spot in the tournament. Two kick off at 8pm local time. One of the pioneers in title on home soil in 1970. ended in the first round of nament: Qatar (hosts), Tunisia, venues will host the qualifiers: Tickets for the matches are establishing the Africa Cup of A place in Group A alongside African qualifying after defeat Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Khalifa International Stadium available from the Qatar Nations, Sudan are looking to Qatar, Iraq and the winner of to Zimbabwe in September Arabia, Iraq, United Arab – which is also one of eight Football Association website: revive past glories by securing Bahrain versus Kuwait will be 2019. They have appeared in Emirates and Syria. The 14 Qatar 2022 tournament venues tickets.qfa.qa. Fans who attend their spot in Qatar later this the prize for Oman or Somalia regional competitions such as lower-ranked teams will – and Jassim Bin Hamad the matches must be fully vac- year. The Falcons of Jediane at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. the CECAFA Cup and featured contest play-offs to earn their Stadium. All the matches will cinated or have recovered from have a proud footballing Oman will be keen for at the Pan Arab Games in 1985. UAFA General Road to Qatar 2022: Assembly: De Bruyne leads Belgium to 2-1 VAR set for AFC Al Mohannadi comeback win over Denmark Asian Qualifiers elected as in September Vice-President REUTERS — COPENHAGEN AFC — KUALA LUMPUR THE PENINSULA — JEDDAH Denmark scored the Belgium’s Kevin De second-fastest goal in Bruyne celebrates after European Championship scoring their second The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will Saoud bin Abdulaziz history but Belgium goal against Denmark. be implemented when the Continent’s top Al-Mohannadi was elected to the advanced to the knockout teams go head-to-head in the final round of Union of Arab Football Associa- stages after Kevin de the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar 2022 tions (UAFA) Council as Vice- Bruyne orchestrated a 2-1 in September. President for the new term 2021- comeback victory in their The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2025, at the conclusion of the Group B match yesterday. continues to set new benchmarks in Asian ref- General Assembly of the Union, Denmark had the ereeing as it will be one of the first Confeder- which was followed by a meeting perfect start when mid- ations to utilise the VAR in the Asian Qualifiers. of the newly-elected Council. fielder Pierre-Emile The VAR was first adopted in Asia from the Al Mohannadi, who won the Hojbjerg intercepted the Quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE council membership after ball to feed an unmarked 2019 before it was implemented across 32 receiving 20 votes, was later Yussuf Poulsen, who matches at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand named Vice-President -for the 2020. Asian continent – by virtue of Last season, the VAR was also used from recommendation. arrowed a right-footed goalkeeper Kasper last five internationals the Quarter-final stage of the AFC Champions Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin shot into the bottom Schmeichel. with a crisply-struck League, the first time in AFC club competition Ahmed Al Thani, President of the corner with 99 seconds on Belgium have a penalty after Austria history, and it will make a return from the same Qatar Football Association (QFA), the clock. maximum six points from captain David Alaba stage in 2021. Additionally, the VAR system will headed the Qatari delegation par- Belgium were poor in two games, while stepped on the foot of also be used for the first-time ever in the 2021 ticipating in the meetings of the the first half but equalised Denmark are bottom of Dumfries and referee Orel AFC Cup final. UAFA General Assembly, which nine minutes into the the group after two losses. Grinfeld pointed to the Through various initiatives and workshops, was hosted in Jeddah. second from a counter- Russia and Finland have spot following the inter- the AFC has been recognised for its implemen- The QFA President also par- attack when Romelu three points each after two vention of the Video tation of the VAR system which has been ticipated in the meeting of the Lukaku used his power to games. Assistant Referee. endorsed by FIFA and the IFAB. UAFA Council, headed by His drive the ball forward and Dutch delight as The home side added To ensure a seamless integration of VAR in Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Today's found De Bruyne, who victory over Austria seals a second when Dumfries AFC competitions, numerous VAR courses and bin Turki Al Faisal, President of squared the ball for top spot in Group C scored his second goal in seminars have been organised since March 2017 the Union. Fixtures Thorgan Hazard to score Wing back Denzel as many games in the while AFC VAR Information Officer (VIO) Work- The QFA delegation included with a tap-in. Dumfries had a hand in tournament after being shops have also been organised to ensure VIOs Saoud bin Abdulaziz Al- 4pm: Sweden vs De Bruyne then broke both goals as the Nether- teed up by substitute are kept up to date on the latest VAR Mohannadi, (Vice-President), Slovakia Danish hearts when he lands eased to a 2-0 Donyell Malen. developments. Mansour Mohammed Al Ansari 7pm: Croatia vs gave Belgium the lead in victory over uninspiring The Dutch, on six The VAR system, which aims to provide (General Secretary), and the 70th minute, receiving Austria yesterday and points, cannot be over- minimum interference with maximum benefit, Mohammad Khalifa Al Suwaidi Czech Republic the ball at the edge of the ensured they will win taken at the top of the is limited to four game-changing decisions or (Chief Executive Officer, Aspire 10pm: England vs box from a slick passing Euro 2020 Group C. group going into their final incidents, specifically - goal or no goal, pen- Zone Foundation). Scotland move and firing a left- Memphis Depay game against North Mace- alty-kicks, direct red cards and mistaken footed shot that beat scored a sixth goal in his donia on Monday. identity decisions. Parmenion wins on debut in France THE PENINSULA — DOHA lengths ahead of the FH. Graffard- what to do next, but we’ll likely step trained and Theo Bachelot-ridden up in category with him.” Parmenion (GB) (Soldier Hollow x Laishann (Footstepsinthesand) (FR), Al Shahania Stud, Parmenion is a Pearls Or Passion), who is bred and who, in turn, was a short head in front son of Soldier Hollow (In the Wings), owned by H H Sheikh Mohammed of Ker Welen (FR) (Dariyan), who is stationed at Gestüt Auenquelle, and Bin Khalifa Al Thani, opened his trained by N.