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spikers storm into AWBG 2019 volleyball finalPAGE 14

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 Qatar extend unbeaten run with thrilling win over Al Annabi top Group E of World Cup 2022 & Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers with 10 points

AFC/TNN

QATAR extended their un- beaten run as goals from Qatar fans provide the cheer at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday. and helped Al Annabi to a 2-1 win over Oman at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday. The Group E clash for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers marked a sixth meeting in qualifying for both teams – Qatar are yet to lose to their neighbours with four wins and two draws over the period. Qatar lead the group with 10 points and Oman re- main second on six but have played a game less. Al Annabi, playing for an Asian Cup spot having already secured World Cup qualifica- Qatar’s forward Almoez Ali Abdulla dribbles past Oman’s defender Abdulaziz al Gheilani during Cup 2022 & 2023 AFC Asian Cup tion as hosts, came out swing- qualifying match at the Janoub Stadium at on Tuesday. (AFP) ing from kick off. Afif opened the scoring af- terrific save from Qatari goal- Qualifiers goal continued, failed to get a shot off from an In the other group game, ter three minutes in a match keeper , who but he was off target on three excellent position, but Ali’s, Adil Khan’s 88th minute goal where the hosts failed to take kept the hosts ahead in the further occasions in the latter and Qatar’s, fortunes turned rescued one point for India advantage of several goalscor- seventh minute. stages of the first half, which dramatically when he sensa- against Bangladesh at the ing opportunities. Some last ditch defend- ended with Qatar’s 1-0 lead tionally picked out the bot- Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt The fleet-footed Al Sadd ing from Amran Said Al Hidi still in place. tom corner of Al Rusheidi’s Lake Stadium) in Kolkata. man was on hand to finish a deflected a seemingly goal Oman soon made Qatar net from the edge of the box Khan’s heroics came from low cross into the box from bound Ali effort over the pay for all the missed chances in the 72nd minute, with the glancing header at the near youngster Yusuf Abdurisag crossbar, before the influen- 20 minutes into the second ever-present Afif playing his post off a corner after Bang- from 15 yards out. tial Afif was involved in an- half. Al Mandhar al Alawi part with a return pass to the ladesh had earlier missed an Oman, getting an early other key moment, winning showed grit and composure star striker. opportunity to secure the win. look at one of the stadiums a penalty kick after being to bully his way past the Qatar With their status as group Saad Uddin’s header from they hope to return to at the fouled by goalkeeper Faiyz defence before letting fly from leaders now firmly entrenched, a freekick had put Bangladesh 2022 World Cup, conjured Al Rushedi, only for Hassan close range but Saad al Dosari Qatar will sit out Matchday ahead just before half time. an equally clear-cut scoring Al Haydos to miss the target will be kicking himself as the Five, while Oman will look to India sit fourth in the chance almost immediately, from the spot kick. ball went past under his body. reduce the deficit to a single group, while Bangladesh but Abdulaziz al Maqbali’s With Afif the chief creator, Al Haydos’ woes in front point when they meet Bangla- are bottom and Afghanistan Omani fans during the match against Qatar at the Al Janoub Stadium shot at goal was denied by a Ali’s bid for a fourth Asian of goal continued when he desh on November 14. in third. on Tuesday. (AFP)

Aspire Academy, KSOC sign MoU on Sport development Preparations in full swing SPIRE Academy signed a consultation. Memorandum of Under- Speaking after the sign- standing (MoU) with The ing, Kee Heung Lee said, “I Korean Sport & Olympic have heard a lot about Aspire for Qatar’s hosting of ACommittee (KSOC) to effec- Academy from Korea Swim- tively develop bilateral coop- ming Federation President eration for the advancement and upon visiting, l have 24th of sports science and to en- found an outstanding and sure the improvement of mass impressive place where sport sports and high-performance and education are thriving sports in both countries. as young people are being The agreement was signed developed. I think there are by Aspire Academy Director lots of things that KSOC can General Ivan Bravo and Kee assist Aspire Academy with Heung Lee President of Korean in areas like education and Sports & Olympic Committee sport science.” Hassan al Thawadi, Secretary-General of and an IOC Member. Bravo commented, “I am the Supreme Committee for Delivery and The MOU aims to have humbled that it is the Presi- Legacy, met HE Mohammed bin Jassim al the two parties cooperate on dent of the Korean Sport & Kuwari, Ambassador of Qatar to Mexico on providing mutual support for Olympic Committee in person Tuesday. They discussed ways of coopera- training and education of high who has joined us to sign the tion in hosting the 2019 Club World Cups performance and youth ath- MOU. Korea is among the top and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. letes. Make training facilities successful sporting nations available for exchange and and we value and treasure SC.QA on October 23rd, with tickets “All the matches will take World Cup in December and ously hosted the Arabian Gulf performance improvement cooperation and exchanges DOHA going on sale a day later. Tick- place at the iconic Khalifa the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Cup, the Asian Games and and exchange sports medicine of sporting programs, knowl- ets will be available online and International Stadium – the “After successfully host- the AFC Asian Cup. The sta- and sports science related re- edge, training education and QATAR is gearing up to host from various outlets across scene of sporting triumphs ing the IAAF World Athlet- dium is equipped with state- search and share details after science with Korea.” (TNN) the at Qatar, including the Mall of in Qatar throughout the last ics Championships, Khalifa of-the-art cooling technology, the Khalifa International Sta- Qatar, Doha Festival City, Vil- 40 years and the first tour- International Stadium is which allows it to be used all- dium from November 27. lagio, Souq Waqif and Hamad nament-ready venue for the currently being prepared to year-round. The tournament, or- International Airport. FIFA World Cup 2022.” host the Arabian Gulf Cup The Arabian Gulf Cup was ganised by the Arab Gulf Jassim al Rumaihi, Gen- Saud al Mohannadi, and welcome thousands of conceptualised during the Cup Football Federation eral Secretary of the AGCFF, Chairman of the 24th Arabi- passionate football fans from 1968 Olympics, with the first (AGCFF), will be contested said: “We are proud to be an Gulf Cup Local Organising Qatar and the wider region.” edition taking place in 1970. by five teams with all the hosting the Arabian Gulf Cup Committee and Vice Presi- Following an extensive re- became the first coun- matches taking place at the in Qatar for the fourth time dent, Qatar Football Associa- development, the 40,000-ca- try to win the title defeating Khalifa International Sta- and look forward to hosting tion, said: “Qatar’s hosting of pacity Khalifa International . Qatar has hosted dium, which recently hosted thousands of fans from across the Arabian Gulf Cup is an- Stadium – Qatar’s national the tournament on three pre- the IAAF World Athletics the region. We welcome eve- other opportunity to test the football stadium – reopened vious occasions: 1976, 1992 Championships. ryone to enjoy this festival of country’s event hosting ex- in May 2017. and 2004 and won the tour- The draw for the tourna- football.” pertise as we continue prep- Located at Aspire Zone, nament on three occasions: KSOC delegates led by their president Kee Heung Lee with Aspire officials. ment will take place in Doha Al Rumaihi continued: arations for the FIFA Club this historic venue has previ- 1992, 2004 and 2014.