Sports Wednesday, April 28, 2021 13 To be favourites in FIFA Sheikh Joaan meets Abdulaziz Al Faisal Arab Cup 2021, Qatar will have to prove on the field: Coach Sanchez

the field,” he said. Competition “Numbers and rankings -- these are on paper, you need tough: Saudi to prove in the field. So hope- fully we’re going to perform coach Renard well and we can show good Vinay Nayudu performance. Doha “If we do that, we have a better chance to reach far in The 2019 Asian champions the tournament, which will be Qatar, who have also done ex- good for us looking forward ceedingly well at the ongoing to the FIFA World Cup 2022. European qualifiers for FIFA So, hopefully we’re going to World Cup 2022, have been perform well and we can do drawn alongside four-time some good results,” stressed champions Iraq and two qual- Sanchez. ifers Oman/Somalia and Bah- Meanwhile, the Saudi Ara- rain/Kuwait in Group A of the bia coach Herve Renard said first FIFA Arab Cup 2021. that the Arab Cup will be a Qatar coach Felix Sanchez, tough one for everyone. speaking soon after the draw, “It’s a very good competi- termed the grouping as “lit- tion. I would be lucky because tle difficult” despite Qatar’s I spent so many times in Africa growing stature in the foot- and I know a lot of teams will balling world. participate to this tournament. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, received HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, President The Spanish coach, how- Now, this competition will be of the Union of Arab Football Associations, upon his arrival and his accompanying delegation at Hamad International Airport on Tuesday. The ever, said that the team will very difficult for everyone,” meeting was also attended by HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association. Prince Abdulaziz have to prove its strength on said the Frenchman. bin Turki Al Faisal later attended the draw ceremony of FIFA Arab Cup 2021 on Tuesday evening. the field. The stature on paper Saudi Arabia are in Group doesn’t matter. “If we want to C and have been drawn with be one of the favourites or to 2012 winners Morocco, Jor- reach far in the competition, dan/South Sudan, and Pales- we will have to prove that on Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. tine/Comoros. Saudi Arabia won the pre- FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 an opportunity for vious Arab Cups in 1998 and 1002. Interestingly, Renard has also coached Morocco all Arabs: Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports previously which should help Saudi Arabia. QNA in light of all Arab countries The Minister expected expressing at the same time “It’s very good but also Doha confirming their participa- that the Arab championship his confidence in all the play- very difficult. I spent three tion in the tournament. would witness strong com- ers of the Iraqi team and their years and also with Mo- The Iraqi Minister of Youth The Minister expressed petitions in light of the par- ability to present high levels rocco, we played the World and Sports Adnan Dirjal said his confidence in the ability ticipation of all Arab coun- and compete for the title. Cup 2018. I spent a fantastic that the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar of the State of Qatar to organ- tries, especially in light of the The Iraqi national team time with Morocco. So my 2021 will be a very important ize the Arab championship in growth that most countries is the most winner of the heart will pump faster. But opportunity to bring the Arab a distinctive and successful are witnessing, whether at Arab Cup, with four titles in we have to concentrate on countries together. manner in view of the ma- the Asian or African level. 1964, 1966, 1985 and 1988, the game. Dirjal said, in a statement terial and human capabili- The Iraqi Minister of while Tunisia won the title “And now I’m the coach to Qatar News Agency (QNA), ties it possesses, as well as Youth and Sports stressed of the inaugural edition in of Saudi Arabia, so we have to that the State of Qatar has in light of the availability of that his country’s chances of 1963, Egypt 1992, Morocco be focused and to go as far as made a great step in organ- high-level infrastructure and winning the Arab title would 2012, and Saudi Arabia was FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 possible in this competition,” izing this event in coopera- stadiums with best modern be very difficult in light of crowned twice in 1998 and draw ceremony at Katara Opera House on Tuesday. he said. tion with the FIFA, especially technology. the presence of big teams, 2002. Nagelsmann joins Bayern as coach in mega deal The German becomes the most expensive coach Chelsea’s American midfielder Christian Pulisic (“L) celebrates with in history having also been the Chelsea’s German coach and teammates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Real youngest at 28 when he first coached Hoffenheim Madrid at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid on Tuesday. (AFP) 20 million to 30 million euros “Fundamentally I’m not grab at the players,” he said. ($24.2 million to 36.3mn) – now shaking and quivering over In contrast Nagelsmann’s Chelsea earn 1-1 standard for players these days the transfer fee,” he said. “With assistant Benjamin Glueck though hardly their bosses. the players there are many who and team manager Timmo “Julian’s contract length cost a lot more and who also Hardung will make the switch. draw at Real Madrid of five years alone shows how have to deal with pressure and “They have already came with committed he is to FC Bayern,” bring their performance. That’s me from Hoffenheim and DPA ners-up Paris Saint-Germain said Bayern’s chairman desig- how it is with me.” will go with me again,” said Berlin and Manchester City is on nate Oliver Kahn. Flick will want to bid fare- Nagelsmann. “That’s agreed Wednesday. “I am convinced that FC well with a second Bundesliga with the club.” Chelsea played to a 1-1 draw Record 13-time winners Bayern’s sporting future will title after the treble of last sea- Also open is the future of at Real Madrid on Tuesday Real, 2012 champions Chelsea be a very successful one with son concluded a dramatic spell the German national team with to hold a small edge in their and City were among 12 teams Julian Nagelsmann.” in which he was appointed in Flick, 56, now strong favour- Champions League semi-final. that had planned to form Nagelsmann is only 33 November 2019 with Bayern ite to replace his former boss American forward Chris- a breakaway Super League and hasn’t won a single title - in crisis. Joachim Loew after Euro 2020. tian Pulisic gave the English which collapsed last week after though that could change with Leading Leipzig by seven Bayern paid tribute to the visitors a 14th-minute lead but just two days. Leipzig in the German Cup points with three games to man who delivered their sec- striker Karim Benzema lev- The six English clubs and semi-finals and Bayern out - play that looks a certainty but ond treble - and sixth elite elled in the 29th for Real in the two others said they would but his work first with Hoffen- Nagelsmann also has work European crown - and he re- teams’ first-ever Champions pull out but Real president heim and then Leipzig made still to do as he could deliver a turned the favour despite a League meeting on a wet night Florentino Perez has insisted him one of the most promising maiden trophy, for himself and prickly working relationship in Spain. the project is not dead. coaches in Europe. club, in the German Cup. And with sporting director Hasan Benzema now has 71 goals Germany forward Timo “Julian Nagelsmann rep- then battle will start again. Salihamidzic. in the elite event for joint- Werner should have put Chel- resents a new generation of “Full attack on Julian Leipzig paid 5 million fourth all-time with former sea ahead in the 10th but coaches,” said club president Nagelsmann and Bayern Mu- euros two years ago to get Real legend Raul Gonzalez. aimed right at goalkeeper Herbert Hainer. “Despite his nich,” said CEO Oliver Nagelsmann from Hoffenhe- The return leg is next week Thibaut Courtois from point- In this file photo taken on December 16, 2020, Julian Nagelsmann is young age, he already has an Mintzlaff, who said a short- im, where he began coaching in London at Stamford Bridge blank range after Pulisic pictured prior to the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and impressive CV. list of three is being considered aged 28, and this year Borussia for a place in the Istanbul final headed a Mason Mount cross RB Leipzig in Sinsheim. (AFP) “We are convinced that including Red Bull Salzburg’s Dortmund had to pay the on May 29. across goal. with Julian Nagelsmann, we American coach . same sum to Borussia Moe- “It is just the first half, we The Blues continued their DPA confirmed Tuesday as Bayern can continue the magnificent Mintzlaff said Leipzig nchengladbach to get helms- knew against Real Madrid it lively start and broke the Munich agreed to Flick’s request to be successes of recent years.” would try to trim their squad man in summer. would be tough,” Chelsea cap- deadlock four minutes later. released - likely with an eye Nagelsmann, a boyhood over summer but Nagelsmann Gladbach in turn agreed to tain Cesar Azpilicueta told BT Antonio Ruediger chipped Julian Nagelsmann’s “life on the soon to be vacant Ger- Munich fan and with his family assured his soon to be former spend 7.5 million euros to Sport. a long ball over the Real de- dream” to coach Bayern Mu- man job - while opening the already living in Bavaria, said club he would not attempt to get Eintracht Frankfurt’s Adi “We started with cour- fence to Pulisic who rounded nich was made a reality thanks cheque book to prise rising star the “complete package is sim- poach players - other than de- Huetter. age, we had to perform at our Courtois and smashed home to a world record transfer fee Nagelsmann from Leipzig on a ply special. I would not have fender , who Bayern, like others in the best level. The semi-final of a from 10 metres. while also got his long-term deal to 2026. done it for any other club.” had already signed for Bayern Bundesliga, have been with- Champions League asks you Chelsea were in control but wish – with an early release While the exact transfer fee And he dismissed the idea in February. out fans this season but have to play your best. We missed Real, still without captain Ser- from his contract at the Ger- paid has not been confirmed, the large fee put extra pressure “It is quite normal in the committed 42.5 million for that little last pass where we gio Ramos, finally threatened man champions. Leipzig’s satisfaction with the on him in the role he will of- special situation where RB Upamecano and Nagelsmann could choose the best option.” in the 23rd from Benzema’s The biggest coaching sum backs media reports put- ficially start on July 1, the day have also done something for will surely expect further back- The second first-leg semi-final drive which went wide right swoop in German football was ting the total value at a potential after Flick’s deal now ends. me that I don’t now start to ing in the transfer market. between last season’s run- off the outside post.