SPORT Saturday 2 February 2019 's historic Asian Cup triumphh

Pages 21, 22, 23 & 24 Almoez, Al Sheeb bag top Asian Cup awards

THE PENINSULA

Almoez Ali was named the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) yesterday as his record nine goals helped Qatar clinch the continental title for the first time. Almoez struck once in Qatar’s 3-1 win over Japan in the final at the Zayed Sports City Stadium to also seal the Top Goal-scorer Award on a historic night for him and his team. The 22-year-old Al Duhail forward scored in the 12th minute with a spectacular overhead effort that left Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda helpless. Almoez bettered the previous record of eight goals, held by Iran’s . Almoez, who was also the leading marksman at last year’s AFC U23 Championship in China, had found the net in four of Qatar’s six matches en route to Qatar’s (centre) poses with the trophy for Most Valuable Player of the tournament with the final, including a four-goal AFC President Salman Al Khalifa and QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani. haul against DPR Korea in the group stage. custodian played a key role in Al historic campaign, keeping six time for his perfect record to Meanwhile, Qatar’s Saad Al Annabi’s unprecedented march successive clean sheets as his side finally be broken, with a goal Sheeb won the Best Goalkeeper to the title, conceding only once became the first in the competi- from Japan’s Takumi Minamino Qatar’s Award as the competition’s out- in his side’s seven matches. tion’s 63-year history to reach the in Qatar’s 3-1 win in the tourna- celebrates with his Best standing shot-stopper. Al Sheeb was almost final without conceding a goal. ment’s final the only blemish on Goalkeeper Award. The 28-year-old Al Saad unbeatable throughout Qatar’s It took 609 minutes of game his impressive record. Almoez eyes Europe move before 2022 World Cup

REUTERS managed the last time the tour- ABU DHABI nament took place in the United Arab Emirates. Almoez Ali brushed off a row His spectacular overhead about his eligibility to scoop an kick not only helped earn his I look for European Asian Cup winner’s medal and country a first continental crown, teams because in our smash a 23-year-old scoring it won the -born 22-year- league in Asia, not record yesterday, confirming that old the Player of the Tournament Qatar have a potential star in the and top goalscorer awards. only in Qatar, but in making for when they host the “I thought I’d score goals but all of Asia, we know 2022 World Cup. not nine,” he told reporters. teams are weak and Almoez notched his ninth “I thought it could be two or goal of the tournament in the 3-1 three but the team helped me a we see that at the victory over Japan at Zayed lot because they defended so World Cup. They do Sportspy,g City, bettering the record well,,y only conceding g one g,goal, so not go ffar.ar Always, ofof eight that Iranian Ali Daei I would have been embarrassed they go out:o Qatar notnot to score ggoals.oals. “Breaking Ali Daei’s record was ststrikerriker AlmoezAlm Ali somethingsomething amazing for me.” Almoez, who ggraduatedraduated from Qatar’sQatar’s , said the coach,”coach,” ththee Spaniard said. nextnext stestepp he wanted to take in his “He’s 10100 percent com- careercareer was a move to a EuropeanEuropean mitted,mitted, each game he gives his club.club. all, anandd hhee ararrived at this tour- “Of course,course, I look for namentnament in theth perfect moment. EuropeanEuropean teams becausebecause in our HeHe worksworks forfor the team, he pres- leagueleague in Asia, not onlyonly in Qatar, suressures thethe centrecen backs. butbut in all of AsiaAsia,, we know “He got two awards and teamsteams are weak and we theythey are fullyfu deserved, in seesee that at the World footballfootball we always talk about Cup.Cup. They do not go far. thethe group. Yes,Y he got these Always,Always, ththeyey ggoo out, “ becausebecause of theth group but he also hehe said.said. workedworked reallyreall well. “I hhopeope to go out “We’re vvery proud of him. [to[to Europe]Europe] to learn He’sHe’s headingheading the right way.” andand to come bbackack A dayday tthatha finished with Ali forfor thethe World allall smiles asas he organised the CupCup in team photophoto wwith the trophy on in 20222022.”.” thethe pitch startedstar out potentially fraught.fraught. Ali and his team-mate BassamBassam AlAl Rawi were the subjectsubject of a protest by the UnitedUnit Arab Emirates FAF over their eligi- Qatar coach Felix bilityb to represent SSanchez,anchez, a former QQataratar which was dis- BarcelonaBarcelona yoyouthuth coach, said mmissedisse by the Asian Ali’sAli’s value to the team was FFootballootba Confederation not justjust in hittinghitting the back of onlyonly hours beforeb kickoff. the net.net. The strikerstrik said it had not Almoez Ali “Almoez“Almoez is a ffantasticantastic beenbeen worriedworried about it at all. player,player, he’shehe’ s a pleasurepleasure to “No“NoNo concern,”conc he said. SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 21

Fans in Doha celebrate Qatar’s win in the Asian Cup final against Japan, yesterday.

Qatar win hearts not just the Cup

FAWAD HUSSAIN “It’s like a dream come This is a historic day for Qatar football. THE PENINSULA true. This victory will go a I congratulate the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin long way in making Qatar Hamad Al Thani on this amazing victory for Qatar’s historic AFC Asian Cup a football force,” Qatar. The team delivered under pressure. triumph seems nothing less than Abdulaziz, 22, a Qatari The players deserve all the a fairy tale. football fan, said. credit for theirir bbeautifuleautiful Their 3-1 victory against “We had already won giants Japan in the final culmi- when we defeated the UAE performance. Thisis is trultrulyy nated their dream run in conti- 4-0 in front of hostile fans a team effort. The coachand and the the nent’s premier national team and this win over Japan is players worked extremelyely hhardard event despite their ordeal in the just icing on the cake,” he in the build-up of the eventvent and UAE, winning them many hearts added. during the tournament. I amm sure the all over the world. Another enthusiast players are already lookingng fforwardorward The 2022 FIFA World Cup thanked fans who sup- hosts entered the 24-team com- ported Qatar in UAE to playing in the Copa Americarica later in thehe summer.summer.”” petition with just an outside Qatar’s Almoez stadiums. chance of winning their first “We really appreciate Ali shakes major title in presence of Asian their support as we were hands with FIFA QFA Presidentdent powerhouses like four-time just confined to cheering President Gianni Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifaa champions Japan, South Korea our national side from Infantino as he bin Ahmed Al Thani and Iran. screens at home,” said is presented But the gutsy Al Annabi side, Khalid Abdullah. the trophy for coached by Spaniard Felix Apart from winning Most Valuable Sanchez, stunned all who came the first-ever title, Qatar on their way with dominating Player of the achieved individual mile- “Congratulations to everyone in Qatar - the performance throughout the tournament. stones as well. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the tournament. When Almoez Ali Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Yesterday, Qatar started as underdogs incidents. The team continued to play scored yesterday final’s first goal with a fab- Thani and the footballs fans in Qatar. The team against Japan, ranked 43 places higher with true spirit of the game and was ulous overhead kick, he became the first and the backroom staff did an amazing job at than them in the FIFA rankings but that applauded by many included popular man to score 9 goals in a single edition, sur- this tournament. This is a historic night. We made a little impact as Sanchez’s men coach Jose Mourinho. passing Iran legend Ali Daei, who scored toppled their counterparts to clinch their “I feel I should applaud (Qatar’s per- eight goals in the 1996 tournament. broke barriers. We broke records. We achieved first-ever Asian Cup title. formance) because I think it is a victory Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, who amazing results. It is somethingsomething truly Earlier in the tournament, they for strategy, organisation and pragmatism. conceded first goal in the tournament in worth celebrating. TheThe best thingthing shocked South Korea (40 places higher) I think they played the way they wanted second half, yesterday also completed 609 about this is how everyoneveryone feelsfeels in the quarter-finals, and Saudi Arabia to to play,” said Mourinho while assessing minutes with a clean sheet, a new conti- about this win. Our goaloal now is to finish on top of in their group. Qatar’s performance earlier in the nental record. ensure to do everythinghing for our The game of the tournament was tournament. Prior to the AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Qatar’s battle against the UAE in the semi- While the Qatari spectators could not achieved several stunning results including next event which is thethe CopaCopa final, dubbed as the ‘blockade derby’ which attend the games because of a travel ban their win over World No. 8 Switzerland in America.”merica.” they won 4-0 after outclassing the hosts. in the UAE, attempts by the organisers to a November friendly. However, there latest During the victory, Qatar had to brave block support for Al Annabi totally went triumph is believed to boost the side ahead QFA Secretary-Generalneral hostile onlookers in the match but the in vain as fans from other nationalities of major tournaments including this sum- Mansoor Al Ansarisari players remained calm and focused including the South Koreans and Omanis mer’s Copa America as they prepare for the despite several sandal-throwing continued to back Qatar. home World Cup. He’s our Guardiola: Qatari AFC President praises players hail coach Sanchez Qatar’s achievement QNA ABU DHABI AFP champions Saudi Arabia, and ABU DHABI South Korea on their march to President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman the final, but those weren’t the bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (pictured) yesterday praised the Qatar coach Felix Sanchez only challenges they faced. achievement of the Qatari side after they won the AFC Asian Cup shrugged off comparisons to Pep The Qataris were pelted with for the first time in their history, saying that the wing reflects the Guardiola yesterday after shoes and plastic bottles by a continental status of Qatari football. masterminding a breathtaking hostile home crowd as they beat The AFC President and first the first vice-president of (FIFA) Asian Cup victory just three years the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in crowned the Qatari team as champions of the 17th edition of the before the 2022 World Cup on the semi-finals. Asian Cup after beating Japan 3-1 in the final match of the evening home turf. The UAE then lodged a at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. Almoez Ali scored a tour- protest over the eligibility of Ali Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa stressed that the Qatari nament-record nine goals and and defender Bassam Al-Rawi team’s victory is the resultult of ambitious strategies focused the Maroons conceded only once which was dismissed just hours on building a new footballball ggeneration.eneration. as they swept to the first conti- Qatari forward Almoez before the final. Sheikh Salman binn Ibrahim Al Khalifa nental title in their history, Sanchez insisted he had “no noted the technical levell ooff tthehe finalfinal mmatchatch Ali (right) celebrates with beating Japan 3-1 in the final. concerns” about the eligibility was fantastic all aroundd and ggaveave a cleaclearr coach Felix Sanchez. Ali said he saw shades of row. picture of the level of Asiansian ffootball,ootball, aaddingdding Manchester City’s Guardiola in “I’m very proud to be the that it was the perfect ending to the totour-ur- Sanchez, who coached Barce- striker. “I compare him to Guar- good relationship,” the Spaniard Qatar national team coach. Today nament. He also highlightedghted tthathat thisthis editionedition lona’s youth players before diola because he has the same said. we made history. I’m only was particularly specialal as it was the largestlargest joining Qatar’s national academy ideas.” But Sanchez said that Ali “He’s very easy to coach thinking about today. It’s a great in terms of the numberr of teams par-par- in 2006 and working his way only made the comment because he’s a hard worker and day for me and the players and ticipating. He also highlightedighted the bigbig through the ranks. “because I’m there (listening) and he deserves everything that has the country,” Sanchez said. prize money allocateded for thethe “I’ve been working with him he wants to keep playing”. happened to him in this “We’re focused on our work competition, the superbb organ-organ- for nine years, he’s highly intel- “I’ve worked with Almoez for tournament.” and we have the full support of ization, and the enthusiasticsiastic ligent,” said the 21-year-old a very long time and we have Qatar upset former the QFA.” fan support. 22 SPORT SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

Qatar’s Almoez Ali poses with the trophy after winning the Asian Cup final against Japan in Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

Forward Almoez Ali shoots to score Qatar’s first goal during the Asian Cup final yesterday.

Abdelaziz Hatem (second right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring Qatar’s second goal in the Asian Cup final against Japan at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

Fans celebrate Qatar’s win at the Aspire Park in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: BAHER AMIN / Nation THE PENINSULA celebrates

Abdelkarim Hassan (left) and captain Hassan Al Haydos Qatari players and officials celebrate the win. throw coach Felix Sanchez in the air as the team celebrates their win at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 23

Players of Qatar celebrate their win over Japan in the Asian Cup final at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

1-0 Almoez Ali - 12’

Forward Almoez Ali (centre) shoots to score Qatar’s first goal during the AFC Asian Cup final against Japan in Abu Dhabi, yesterday.

Qatar’s Abdelaziz Hatem scores their second goal in the Asian Cup final against Japan in Abhu Dhabi yesterday.

2-0 Abdelaziz Hatem - 27’

Almoez Ali scores Qatar’s first goal during the 3-1 Asian Cup final against Japan Akram Afif - 83’ yesterday.

Qatar’s Akram Afif (right) shoots to score his team’s third goal. SPORT Saturday 2 February 2019

AFCAFC ASIASIANAN CUPCUP Roll ooff Honour MVMVP,P, TopTop Goalscorer: AlmoezAllmom ez AliAlii (Qatar)(Qatatar) Best GGoalkeeper:oalkeeper: SaadSaaad AlAl SheebSheeeeb (Qatar)(Qataar)r Man-of-the-Match:Man-of-the-Match: AkramAkA raam AfifAfifif (Qatar)(QQattaar) FairplayFairplay Award:Award: JapanJaJapaan

Qatar reign supreme

ARMSTRONG VAS AL ANNABI’S PATH TO THE PENINSULA ASIAN CUP GLORY

Qatar were crowned champions Group Stage - January 9 of Asia for the first time after Beat Lebanon 2-0 beating Japan 3-1 in yesterday’s Second-half goals from Bassam Al AFC Asian Cup final at the Zayed Rawi and Almoez Ali saw Qatar pick Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. up a 2-0 win over a determined Two superb goals from and well-organised Lebanon as Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatim they recorded an opening victory in in the first 30 minutes of the Group E. match laid the foundation for a facile win over while added a late penalty to secure the Group Stage - January 13 West Asian nation’s first-ever Beat North Korea 6-0 continental crown in spectacular Almoez Ali was the star of the show fashion. as he scored four and set up a fifth A spirited second-half display in Qatar’s 6-0 defeat of North Korea from Japan saw them pulling one as Felix Sanchez’s side moved to the back through Takumi Minamino top of the Group E standings and to make it 2-1 but Qatar’s goal into the knockout stage. with seven minutes to go for the final whistle effectively sealed the Group Stage – January 17 title for Felix Sanchez coached Beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 side. Almoez Ali’s rich vein of form at Qatar got off to a dream start the competition continued with the by scoring the opener after just striker scoring twice to help Qatar 12 minutes before Hatem added beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 and claim top a second in the 27th minute with spot in Group E. a stunning long-range effort. Ali’s ninth strike of the com- Round of 16 – January 22 petition saw him break Daei’s Beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 record for the most goals by a A glorious second-half Bassam Al player in a single edition of Asia’s Rawi free-kick proved the difference premier event. as Qatar overcame a determined Japan did pull one back nine Iraq 1-0 to progress through to the minutes after the hour mark quarter-finals. courtesy of a clinical finish by Takumi Minamino but, with Quarter-final – January 25 seven minutes left on the clock, FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and AFC President Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa (second left) present the Asian Cup to Qatarikipper s Beat South Korea 1-0 Akram Afif converted from 12 Hassan Al Haydos during the presentation ceremony, yesterday. President of Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Abdelaziz Hatem’s terrific long- yards after Qatar were awarded a penalty to secure a maiden bin Ahmed Al Thani is also present. range strike on 78 minutes helped Asian Cup crown for his side. Qatar beat Korea Republic 1-0 to On a historic night for the their dream run into the final. though Qatar were cruising but, match official Ravshan Irmatov Qatar began the tournament claim a place in their first-ever AFC Qataris, Felix Sanchez’s talented Just 12 minutes into the final, given their status as the tourna- initially allowed play to carry on. campaign by beating Lebanon Asian Cup semi-finals. charges recorded their seventh Qatar edged ahead courtesy of a ment’s record champions, the Stepping up to the spot, 2-0, following it up with 6-0 win successive victory, while there fine effort by Almoez, who Japanese were always going to Akram made no mistake in over North Korea and rounded Semi-final: January 29 was unbridled joy for Qatar, the latched onto Akram’s left-wing issue some sort of a response. sending Gonda the wrong way to off the group engagements with Beat UAE 4-0 defeat ended Japanese hopes of cross and juggled the ball a And, in the 69th minute, the seal a monumental triumph for a facile 2-0 win over Saudi Two goals in either half saw Qatar claiming what would have been couple of times before brilliantly Samurai Blue duly reduced the Qatar, one that few would argue Arabia, to finish on top of the beat host nation the United Arab a record-extending fifth title. directing an overhead kick into deficit when Tsukasa Shiotani’s they do not deserve following a group with an all win record. Emirates 4-0 to progress with Having never previously pro- the far corner. incisive pass was diverted by dominant campaign that has seen Two Qatari players, Almoez relative ease and set up today’s title gressed past the quarter-finals, Three minutes before the Yuya Osako into the path of them emerge as one of Asia’s and Al Sheeb, walked away with clash with the Japanese side. Qatar’s triumph will come as a half-hour mark, the Qataris Minamino, who coolly placed his most-exciting national sides the top awards. Almoez got the huge boost especially as they are doubled their lead when Hatem shot over Saad Al Sheeb for his defeating some of the continents top goalscorer award for his 9 Final: February 01 set to make their FIFA World – the goal-scoring hero in the first goal of the tournament. power houses. goals in 7 matches of the 24-team Beat Japan 3-1 debut as hosts in just three years’ quarter-final win over Korea But, as the game entered its Before the final triumph tournament and also the Most Two superb goals from Almoez Ali time in 2022. Republic – produced another closing stages, Qatar were against Japan, Qatar downed UAE Valuable Player (MVP) award. and Abdelaziz Hatim in the first Entering the final with a sen- stunning left-footed effort from awarded a penalty with just 4-0 in the semi-final, South Al Sheeb bagged the Best 30 minutes of the match and a sational record of having won 25 yards that had Shuichi Gonda seven minutes remaining as Korea 1-0 in the last eight stage, Goalkeeper award as he con- late penalty by Akram Afif secured their previous six games – scoring beaten all ends up as it bent was penalised for while in the pre-quarter-finals ceded just one goal in seven Qatar’s first-ever continental crown 16 goals and conceding none in inside the post. handball upon consultation with Qatar edged Iraq 1-0. matches while Japan got the Fair- in spectacular fashion. the process – Qatar continued At this stage, it looked as the Video Assistant Referee after In the group league matches, Play award