Sheikh Khalifa elected as Al Duhail Club President WEDNESday, DECEMBER 11, 2019 page 14 Al Sadd take on Oceania champs Hienghene Sport in opener today

The Schedule Play-Off December 11: Al Sadd vs Hienghene Sport We understand that we’re the 8:30pm at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Quarter-finals favourites. Our aim is for the players December 14: Play-off winner vs Monterrey not to feel the added pressure. We Tribune News Network 8:30pm at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium want them to play without fear and Doha December 14: Al Hilal vs Esperance de Tunis 5.00pm at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium express themselves freely. Al Sadd, winners of Qatar’s Fifth-place play-off December 17: QF 1 Loser vs QF 2 Loser – Xavi Hernandez, coach Al Sadd domestic league and AFC 5:30pm at Khalifa International Stadium Champions League semi-fi- Semi-finals nalists this year, will take on December 17: QF 1 Winner vs Flamengo surprise Oceania champions 8:30pm at Khalifa International Stadium Hienghene Sport in the open- December 18: QF 2 Winner vs Liverpool ing game of the 16th edition 8:30pm at Khalifa International Stadium of the FIFA Club World Cup Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez (left) addresses the media in Doha on Tuesday ahead of the FIFA Club 3rd Place Play-Off at the Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- World Cup 2019 opening match against Hienghene Sport. December 21: SF 1 Loser vs SF 2 Loser 5:30pm at Khalifa International Stadium dium on Wednesday. Final This will be Al Sadd’s second December 21: SF 1 Winner vs SF 2 Winner participation in the competition 8:30pm at Khalifa International Stadium after debuting in the 2011 edi- tion, where they finished third. This time the man in charge will On Xavi being the first be none other than Xavi Her- to have played in FIFA Club Afif receives Asia Player nandez, who won that 2011 edi- World Cup and now coaching tion with Barcelona. After four a side in the same tournament, of the Year 2019 award seasons playing for Al Sadd, the the Spaniard expressed sur- veteran Spain midfielder hung prise. ““I didn’t know it! So, it’s up his boots in May to take up a privilege, thank you for the the coaching reins. information!... I am more ex- Facing them will be Hieng- cited now, it’s an honour.” hene Sport, the first New Cal- Meanwhile, Hienghene edonian team to reach the Club Sport’s head coach Felix World Cup, who themselves will Tagawa hoped for his team to be hoping to spring a surprise. Hienghene Sport coach Felix Tagawa (left) and player Bertrand Kai speak to the media on Tuesday. make a good start. “It’s a very “We’ve looked at Hienghene big match for us, with a team and we understand that we’re that plays football very well, the favourites, although you still The teams that continually shows their have to go out and do it on the Al Sadd Hienghene Sport skill through their style of pitch. Our aim is for the play- Goalkeepers: Sadd al Sheeb, Meshaal Goalkeepers: Rocky Nyikeine, Yeiwene It’s a big privilege for us to football,” he said of Al Sadd. ers not to feel the added pres- Barsham, Yousef Abdullah; Defenders: Yeiwene, Jacque Nyiekeine; Defenders: play against the best clubs. He, however, added: “To sure that comes with being the Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim Hassan, Tarek Joris Gorendiawe, Williams Yentao, Bruno We are very excited to play, know us you’ll have to meet home team and wanting to per- Salman, Hamid Khaleefa, Boualem Hyanem, Jordan Dinet, Roy Kayara, Emile to start the competition. us. We will take our chance form – as can often happen. We Khoukhi, Hussain Bahzad, Yasir Isa; Bearune, Franck Sinem, Yvannoe Bamy; to be known in the match.... want them to play without fear Midfielders: Jung Wooyoung, Ali Assadalla, Midfielders: Cedric Sansot, Geordy Gony, Felix Tagawa, coach your competitor is the compe- and express themselves freely. tition, and it is on us to bring Gabi, Salem al Hajri, Moustafa Tarek, Faisal Miguel Kayara, Kohei Matsumoto, Kevin Hienghene Sport There are some quality players Mohammad; Forwards: Abdulaziz Rashid forward our best, so we can be Tein, Joseph Athale, Dos Santos Camargo, in my team,” said Al Sadd coach al Ansari, Hassan al haydos, Baghdad ready for tomorrow.” Sousa Vilela; Forwards: Antony Kai, Xavi Hernandez, former Barce- Bounedjah, Nam Tae-hee, Hashim Ali, this year, would surely look to Hienghene Sport’s player lona star player. Akram Afif, Rami Suhail. Jefferson Dahite, Bertrand Kai, Amy Roine. do the same. Bertrand Kai also spoke high- “It’s a big privilege for us to Coach: Xavi Heranandez. Coach: Felix Tagawa. “We have the best gen- ly of Al Sadd, saying, “Just play against the best clubs dur- eration of Qatari players in like their coach (Xavi) has ing this year... so we are very history, in my opinion,” said mentioned this is a profes- excited to play, to start the com- tions, home advantage has lers (2016) and Al Ain (2018). Xavi while addressing the pre- sional team that is very tough, petition,” he added. propelled the host nation’s Al Sadd, which is packed match media conference. “But and has been a champion for Qatar national team and Al Sadd Sports Club star Akram Afif received The Club World Cup is representatives to the final on with at least eight top star play- we have tomorrow a very diffi- Qatar Stars League numerous his best Asian Player of the Year 2019 award from Sheikh Salman a tournament given to sur- three occasions: Raja Casa- ers from the Qatar national cult game and we have to take times. We will try our best to bin Ibrahim al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation prises. In the last six edi- blanca (2013), Kashima Ant- team that won the Asian Cup it step by step.” defend our colours.” (AFC), on Tuesday. It’s me who suffers if we don’t have the ball: Coach Xavi aving lifted the FIFA competitive thing in a differ- up at Barça and in the national fer. You suffer when you don’t the same as mine, but I’ve got do it on the pitch. What I won’t are the Generation Amaz- Club World Cup twice ent way and I feel even more team. I make sure we work on have the ball. That 30-40 per nothing but admiration for him take from my teams is a lack of ing Program Ambassador. Hwhile wearing the col- responsible as a coach. So, yes, possession in every training cent of possession that you for everything he’s achieved effort. I want them to try. They How is Qatar getting in ours of Barcelona, Xavi makes I’m enjoying it. session and I have the players don’t have is when you have to at Atletico Madrid and what might fail 200 times, but I want gear for the FIFA World his return in an altogether trying to win the ball back as work hardest. he’s done at that club. The them to try. Cup 2022? fresh guise. Now coach of Qa- How do you describe soon as they can. likes of [Pep] Guardiola and I’ve spent the last four years tar 2019’s host champions Al yourself as a coach? That’s my philosophy: to have Is there any coach whose Jurgen Klopp have made their This is a tournament where playing for Al Sadd, but I’ve Sadd, the Catalan pass master I’d describe myself as someone possession high up the pitch method and tactics great- mark as coaches too, and Luis surprises can happen, with also had very close ties to the will be orchestrating from the who likes to have the ball. I’m – not just sitting and waiting – ly differ to yours, but you Aragones, Vicente del Bosque host teams having reached national football association touchline. there in the dugout suffering if and to go on the attack, because particularly admire all and Luis Enrique are also great the final in recent years. and the Aspire Academy, try- That Blaugrana DNA is set my team doesn’t have the ball. the more chances you create, the same? coaches. In some ways, a team What strengths could see ing to improve the standard of to be very present, too, with It was the same when I played: the more chances you have to Now that I’ve seen how difficult is a reflection of its coach. And Al Sadd do the same? the new generation of players. possession and a selfish de- I loved being on the ball. What win. Where I have surprised this job is, I’ve obviously got ad- the hallmark of coaches like Al Sadd is a team with just the The team’s pretty much ready sire to hoard the ball key to I want is for my team to have myself is that when I started miration for every coach that’s Klopp, Simeone and Guardiola, right mix of experience and for the World Cup and they’re his coaching ethos. FIFA.com control and I think you have out as a coach I didn’t think so gone in and changed a club. each of whom have their own youth. We’ve got the best ever competing very well because sat down with Xavi to talk past that when you have the ball. much about the defensive side It’s pretty clear that [Diego] style and way of playing, is re- generation of Qatari players they have a great coach in Felix glories, his present switch to That’s the way I was brought of the game. But now you suf- Simeone’s coaching style is not ally important. They’ve man- the team’s ever had and we Sanchez, who works so well. the dugout and the future Qa- aged to get their philosophies have eight or ten national team The family’s very happy be- tar has in store with the FIFA and their playing styles across players with a lot of talent: cause they’ve given us every- World Cup on the horizon. to their players. Akram Afif, Saad al Sheeb the thing. It’s a very easy country goalkeeper, Hassan Al Haydos, to live in, very comfortable, You hung up your boots How do you aim to tackle who’s the national team cap- welcoming and safe. And then in May and within a few the challenge of being the tain, Tarek Salman, Boualem you’ve got the whole focus on months you were on the host side here at the Club Khoukhi, and Salem. There are football here with the World touchline. Have you en- World Cup? a lot of excellent young players. Cup. Qatar wants to do a good joyed the transition and What we’ll try to do is make And then we have the experi- job and I think it’s doing real- how do you reflect on sure the players don’t feel the ence of Gabi, the team captain. ly, really well. They’ve won the your first few months of extra pressure that comes with We have two good Korean Asian Cup and taken part in coaching? playing at home, internationals, and Baghdad the Copa America. They have I’ve had a very fast transition which happens a Bounedjah was the player of a great generation of players from player to coach. I’ve hard- lot – that pressure the tournament at the Africa and are really in a position to ly had any time to think about of having to prove Cup of Nations and scored the compete. it. Obviously I had a football- yourself. This is a special prize winner in the final. We have a Everything they’re doing in ing vision in mind, because as for us. What I’ll try to say to the team that can play good foot- terms of construction is fo- pretty much everyone knows, team is that they forget about ball. It’s all going to come down cused on staging a great World I grew up at Barça and in the the pressure and show what to what happens on the day Cup. There are so many stadi- national team. It’s still football they can do. Pressure is some- and our mindset, which I think ums and people are going to be but the fact is you have a lot thing for me to deal with as the will be just right. We’re going amazed. Qatar has also been more responsibility. I’m always coach. We’ve looked at Hieng- to compete, though. lucky enough to have nearly ten asking myself if I miss playing. hene and we understand that years to prepare for this World Well, the fact is that I don’t be- we’re the favourites. In football, You’ve been living here in Cup. They’re going to make cause I’m involved in the whole Xavi Hernandez has spent the last four years playing for Al Sadd before taking over as the coach. though, you have to go out and Qatar for a few years and such a good job of it. (Fifa.com) Sports Wednesday, December 11, 2019 13 Being at Qatar 2019, a dream come true: Kai ith a population of barely 2,500, Hienghene is a small town lo- FIFA Club World Cup Qatar catedW 380km from Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia. 2019 live and exclusive Its most famous club, Hieng- hene Sport, has become the most recognisable symbol on beIN SPORTS of the town – and with good reason. The club are enjoying Tribune News Network and 2010 FIFA World Cup fi- the best period in their his- Doha nalist Nigel de Jong are all set to tory and, having won the 2019 join the beIN SPORTS’ studios OFC Champions League, are beIN SPORTS, the global for world class analysis of one now gearing up for the FIFA sports channel is set to host of the biggest FIFA Club World Club World Cup Qatar 2019, the FIFA Club World Cup Qa- Cup tournaments to date. stealing the limelight from tar 2019 live and exclusive on Coverage of the FIFA Club Noumea’s big clubs like AS its channels. World Cup Qatar 2019 starts Magenta and AS Mont-Dore. Set to take place in three with the morning show every world class stadiums in Qatar day followed by special pro- from December 11 to 21 – this grams and shows – including edition of the FIFA Club the daily evening show. World Cup will see three beIN SPORTS HD1 will teams from the MENA region broadcast the matches exclu- compete for the coveted tro- sively in Arabic while beIN Sport & pride “Coming to Qatar to participate in this great competition is a dream come true; no one believed we could win the title. We ourselves didn’t phy for the first time. SPORTS HD11 will broadcast think we could achieve this success, but thanks to years of hard work, we carried the torch of those who preceded us and taught us the Qatari champions Al Sadd, in English. Hienghene Sport’s meaning of sacrifice,” says Hienghene Sport star Bertrand Kai. AFC Champions League win- The beIN SPORTS News continental title was a first ners Al Hilal and CAF Cham- channel will also broadcast ex- for the club and New ment is a source of immense his life in Hienghene, saying: addition to hunting and fish- We ourselves didn’t think we pions League winners ES Tu- clusive content on the tourna- Caledonia, a small country pride for the town and the “As amateur players, we live ing. “In our country we live could achieve this success, but nis are all set to feature in this ment including special docu- whose solitary appearance at country as whole, where foot- an ordinary life, and we try to as tribes and this helped us in thanks to years of hard work, year’s exciting competition. mentaries on host nation Qatar. a global tournament came at ball is not professionalised and strike a balance between our the team to be one family. We we carried the torch of those beIN presenters, analysts The opening match be- the FIFA U-17 World Cup players have to hold down full- work, family duties and play- make a lot of sacrifices when who preceded us and taught us and football legends including tween Al Sadd and Hienghene India 2017. The club’s time jobs, train in the evenings ing football. This is very diffi- we go to play football at the the meaning of sacrifice.” Mohamed Saadon al Kuwari, Sport will be telecast on beIN achievement is a source of and play games at weekends. cult, especially now that we’ve weekend and leave our fami- In their tournament Mohamed Abutrika, Wael SPORTS HD1 at 20:30 Mecca immense pride for the town Among those leading this reached this level, winning the lies behind,” he explained. opener, Hienghene will play Gomaa, Abdulaziz al Nasr, Time (GMT +3). lifestyle is Hienghene skipper OFC Champions League for Hienghene Sport club re- the host nation’s representa- Ayman Jadah, Lakhdar Ber- beIN entertains and oper- and the country as whole, Bertrand Kai, who manages a the first time in the country’s alised their first dream after tives Al Sadd in a win-or-go riche and many others will ates in 43 countries globally, where football is not boarding school, taking care history. This wouldn’t have being crowned OFC cham- home encounter. “We will try host special guests and con- including 24 countries across professionalised and players of logistics such as food and been possible without the sac- pions – the club winning an to be the best representative duct exclusive interviews with the MENA region. have to hold down full-time cleaning supplies. He goes to rifices all of us have made.” exciting final 1-0 with a won- of club and country, and to dedicated beIN studios avail- With broadcast on satellite jobs, train in the evenings work in the mornings, trains Despite being 36, Kai is still derful goal that prompted joy present a good image of foot- able for the tournament, in in 4K and Full HD, the beIN and play games at weekends. every day except Wednesdays, technically adroit and in great all across their home town. ball in Caledonia. addition to live matches with experience is also available on and plays official games on shape physically, and was re- The club’s soon-to-be-realised “The Qatari team is made Arabic and English commen- mobile, tablet, computer and Saturdays. Apart from during cently voted best player in his second dream is to partici- up of professional players tary, ensuring fans don’t miss other home devices through Hienghene’s continental ti- the close season, this severely domestic league. He is known pate in the FIFA Club World and I’m sure we’ll face a very a moment of the action. beIN CONNECT. tle was a first for the club and restricts his family time, so his for his selflessness and the sac- Cup. Speaking of the journey strong team and a far from Special guests including To watch the FIFA Club New Caledonia, a small coun- two sons and wife accompany rifices he makes on the field for Hienghene are on, Kai said: easy task. We will fight, but at Liverpool and England legend World Cup Qatar 2019™ ex- try whose solitary appearance him to matches to spend more his team-mates. Raised in the “Coming to Qatar to partici- the end of the day it’s a game Steve Mcmanaman, Dutch leg- clusively on beIN SPORTS, at a global tournament came time together. Ganem tribal area, he assumed pate in this great competition of 11 against 11 and the team end Ruud Gullit, former Liver- please visit www.bein.net/en/ at the FIFA U-17 World Cup In an interview with FIFA. responsibility at a young age, is a dream come true; no one with the most determination pool defender John Arne Riise subscribe/ India 2017. The club’s achieve- com in Doha, Kai spoke about learning to work in the fields in believed we could win the title. will win.”

SC security committee completes preparations UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE to secure FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 Holders Liverpool reach last 16 AFP Norwegian wonder kid Erling QNA Salzburg (Austria) Braut Haaland was thwarted Doha as the Reds recorded their Liverpool struck twice in first clean sheet in the Cham- The Security Committee of two minutes through Naby Kei- pions League this season. the Supreme Committee for ta and Mohamed Salah to avoid Liverpool needed goal- Delivery and Legacy (SC) con- an embarrassing early Champi- keeper Alisson Becker to be at firmed that all preparations ons League exit by winning 2-0 his best early on as the Brazil- have been completed to se- in Salzburg on Tuesday. ian blocked from Takumi Mi- cure the FIFA Club World Cup The European champions namino and Haaland. Qatar 2019, which kicks off in needed to avoid defeat against However, the better chanc- Doha on Wednesday and con- the Austrian champions to es were coming for the Premier tinues till December 21. book their place in the last League leaders at the other Security Commander of the 16 and victory ensured they Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder end. Salah dragged his first big 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Lt. A ringside view of the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium which will host the opening match of the FIFA Club did so as winners of Group E Mohamed Salah celebrates chance wide on his favoured Col. Khalifa Shaheen al Dosari World Cup 2019 Qatar between Al Sadd and Hienghene Sport on Wednesday. ahead of Napoli. scoring against RB Salzburg on left foot at the end of a brilliant underlined that all units of the Salah had been guilty of Tuesday. (AFP) Liverpool break from one end Security Committee are fully stadiums and other conditions give security men an opportu- ordinate between the Commit- missing a host of big chances of the field to the other. prepared for the champion- different from those during nity to carry out their tasks in a tee and the relevant authorities as Liverpool walked a tight- Salzburg had scored 87 Keita had been rewarded ship, adding that work is pro- the Gulf Cup. way that guarantees the safety in FIFA and the concerned au- rope for nearly an hour, but goals in 24 previous games for his goalscoring return to ceeding according to plans set He stressed that the main of all noting that all facilitations thorities in countries partici- made amends with a sumptu- this season, including three the team in Saturday’s 3-0 win in terms of security measures, target of the Security Commit- will be provided to the public, pating in the Club World Cup, ous finish from a narrow angle when Liverpool edged a at Bournemouth and seemed facilitation the movement of tee is the safety of the masses especially families, children in order to provide security for after Keita’s header had set- seven-goal thriller between keen to make a mark against traffic, ensuring the flow of and the participating teams and people with disabilities. all participating teams, their tled the holders’ nerves. the two back in October. But his former side. the people and providing all and achieving the maximum For football fans coming sports missions and the media. security services in accordance levels of security for all con- from abroad, Al Dosari said Meanwhile, Captain Mo- with the best levels and inter- cerned parties, as well as that there is a complete coor- hammed Omar al Shahwani, national standards. bringing the championship dination with countries whose captain of Al Sadd Sports Sta- He noted that the security out in a manner befitting Qatar fans are expected to attend the dium said that security plans preparations for the Club World and its prominent experience tournament, adding that there have been put in place to se- Bianca Andreescu named Cup are going on the same level in organising international are about eighty nationalities cure the stadium to facilitate of interest and coordination be- and regional sporting events. whose citizens can obtain an the entry and exit of the fans tween the executive units of the He praised the great ef- immediate visa from the air- and players noting that a large Canada’s athlete of the year Security Committee in the 24th forts exerted by all units to port, and most of the teams tent was set up for the security Arabian Gulf Cup 24. make the 24th Arabian Gulf participating in the tourna- inspection process. AFP He pointed to some condi- Cup a success, affirming his ment have their countries en- He added that the specta- Montreal tions that have been consid- absolute confidence to achieve joying this advantage. tors, after passing the inspec- ered and as stipulated by the similar success with FIFA Club For his part, Head of the tion tent, will enter Jassim bin Canadian teenager Bianca regulations of FIFA as the or- World Cup 2019. Communication and Media Hamad Stadium at Al Sadd Andreescu added another ganiser and supervisor of this Al Dosari advised fans to Unit of the Security Committee Club through 7 gates where honour to her glittering year tournament, such as condi- arrive early at the stadium to Col. Khaled al Kaabi said that security personnel and vol- on Monday after becoming the tions for holders of match tick- avoid traffic congestion and the past period witnessed ex- unteers will help them reach first tennis player to be award- ets, persons allowed to enter overloading the gates, and to tensive communications to co- their seats in the stands. ed the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada’s top athlete. The 19-year-old earns the award after a season which saw her become the first ‘Proud’ Deschamps’ France contract extended till World Cup 2022 player from Canada to win a Canadian Bianca Andreescu with the US Open Trophy she won in Grand Slam singles title with August defeating legendary Serena Williams in the final. Paris: Didier Deschamps’ con- Deschamps. Portugal and one more team her victory at the US Open, tract as coach of world champi- Federation president Noel Le still to qualify through the play- where she defeated Serena “I can’t wait for what 2020 ton (ice hockey), Andre De ons France has been extended Graet had previously said that offs. He will shortly become the Williams in the final. will bring and am always Grasse (athletics) and Mike through to the 2022 World Cup a contract extension for the longest-serving France coach, She also became the first proud to represent Canada at Soroka (baseball). in Qatar, the French football fed- 51-year-old was dependent on overtaking the eight years and Canadian in 50 years to win the highest level.” Previous winners of the eration announced on Tuesday. France qualifying for the 2020 six months of service by Michel the Rogers Cup, also defeating Andreescu was a unani- award include ice hockey leg- Deschamps, a former France France’s football head coach European championships. Hidalgo between January 1976- Williams in the final. mous choice for the award, ends Wayne Gretzky, Sidney skipper who led the team to Didier Deschamps. Deschamps duly guided France June 1984. Deschamps has “I’m so thankful for this which is selected by a poll of Crosby and Bobby Orr, 1996 1998 World Cup glory, has been into the competition, where won 65 out of 100 matches award,” Andreescu said. “I 30 sports journalists. Olympic 100m gold medallist at the coaching helm of Les continue the adventure (until the they have been drawn alongside since replacing Laurent Blanc was not expecting it and to be Other nominees for the Donovan Bailey and former Bleus since summer 2012. 2022 World Cup), even if our 2014 world champions Germa- as national team boss following the first tennis player to win is honour included Brooke Hen- Formula One world champion “I’m very happy, very proud to next goal is Euro 2020,” said ny, reigning European champions Euro 2012. (AFP) even more surreal. derson (golf), Jordan Binning- Jacques Villeneuve. 14 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Sports

Sheikh Khalifa elected Al Duhail Club President

His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad al Thani was elected the president of the Al Duhail Club at the General Assembly held on Tuesday. Sheikh Khalifa succeeded HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani. Khalifa Khamis al Sulaiti was elected as Vice-President of the club. Sheikh Khalifa addressed the attendees and extended thanks to HE Sheikh Abdullah for guiding the club to become one of the strongest at the local and the Asian levels. He was congratulated by Qatar Olympic Com- mittee President His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani on becoming the chief of Al Duhail Club. Later Sheikh Khalifa commented, ““I am honoured to be elected as the President of Al Duhail Club. I pray to God to grant me success and want to thank the members of the board of directors for the new responsibility. I look forward to doing everything that brings laurels to the club, enhances the image of the club, its members and fans.” Qatar Stars League Al Sadd, Duhail drawn holds coaches meeting QNA Executive Director of Compe- Doha titions and Football Develop- ment Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, The Qatar Stars League (QSL) Acting Director of Football in Group C and D held a meeting with coaches of Development Miguel Heitor QNB Stars League clubs, un- and Head of Competitions der the slogan One Team, One Maksat Glychmamedov. Qa- Goal, with the aim of becom- tar Football Association’s AFC Champions ing the best league in Asia. Football Development De- During the meeting, all partment Director Fahad League 2020: 56 opinions as well as proposals Thani al Zaraa and Referees’ and the coaches’ observations Committee representative teams to battle and views on some techni- Abdullah al Balooshi were cal matters were discussed. also present. it out for top This is being done to benefit from their great experiences Qatar h’ball team trains honours in the ongoing development for Asian championship of Qatar football, in line with The Qatari handball team QNA/AFC the technical and professional continues its preparation for Kuala Lumpur work to reach the best levels, the upcoming Asian cham- as some of them participated pionship, set to take place in Qatar clubs Al Duhail have in the World Cup and UEFA Kuwait from January 16-27. been drawn in Group D and C Champions League, as players The competition also acts as respectively of the 2020 AFC or coaches. a qualifier to the World Cup Champions League following The participants expressed which will take place in Egypt the draw held on Tuesday. their happiness and sounded in 2021. Al Sadd SC, AFC CL win- optimistic about the ability to There are currently 19 ners in 2011 and semi-finalists reach common goals and am- players in the training camp, in 2019, will face Sepahan FC bitions. representing Al Duhail, Al from Iran, Al Nassr from Sau- On the sidelines of the Sadd, Al Rayyan, Al Ahli, Al di Arabia and the winner of a meeting, an exhibition match Arabi, Al Wakra, Qatar and Al play-off in Group D. was organised with the par- Khor clubs. Al Arabi have the Al Duhail, meanwhile, will ticipation of a number of club most number players in the play against teams from Saudi coaches and former stars of national camp with four. Arabia, UAE, and Iran. Qatar football, in addition to The team will play a friend- Two-time winners Guang- A picture of screen displaying the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup 2020 official draw for the playoff and group stages during the 2020 Algerian national team coach ly match with Iran before leav- zhou Evergrande of China PR AFC Champions League football tournament at the AFC headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. (AFP) Djamel Belmadi and Argentin- ing to Croatia to take part in a were drawn in Group G with ian star and Inter Milan Vice- friendly tournament, which is Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Group H with Japan’s Yoko- hua FC, Perth Glory and a West Zones. The 2020 season the champions, should they President Javier Zanetti. scheduled from January 2 to Johor Darul Ta’zim and the hama F.Marinos, Australia’s play-off winner in Group F. kicks off with the preliminary not qualify through their do- The meeting was held at January 7. Qatar are in Group winner of a play-off. Sydney FC and a play-off A total of 56 teams will be stage on January 14 with the mestic league, with an added the Aspire Zone Football De- B of the Asian championships Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk winner while Ulsan Hyundai vying for the 2020 AFC Cham- two-leg final scheduled for incentive of a guaranteed spot velopment Department head- alongside Japan and China. Hyundai Motors - winners in FC, champions in 2012, were pions League, with the group November 22 and 28. The in the Preliminary/Play-off quarters, in the presence of They begin their campaign on 2006 and 2016 - will play in drawn with Shanghai Shen- stage divided into the East and upcoming edition will present stage of the 2021 season. QSL CEO Hani Taleb Ballan, January 16 against China. Rain plays spoilsport as Qatar T10 Qatar Shell, Aspire Academy sign Cricket League games washed out agreement to develop Koora Time Tribune News Network Ibrahim shines in Doha

Swift Gallopers’ Qatar Shell and Koora Time’s long-time hosts As- thrilling six-run pire Academy inked a new agreement to introduce the victory ‘Football Skills Methodology’, an 18-week long programme Tribune News Network specifically designed byA spire DOHA Academy for kids who join the initiative at entry-level. Rain played a spoilsport in The new methodology fol- the Qatar T10 Cricket League Qatar T10 League Standings lows a gradual progression with both the matches being Team M W L NR PTS system by adding additional abandoned without a ball be- Desert Riders 3 2 0 1 5 elements of football training ing bowled at the Asian Town Flying Oryx 3 1 1 1 3 as children acquire new skills, Stadium on Tuesday. Falcon Hunters 2 1 1 - 2 such as ball handling, team play Andrew Faulkner (left), Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Standings leaders Desert Swift Gallopers 2 1 1 - 2 and goal scoring. Shell, and Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy sign the Riders and Pearl Gladiators Heat Stormers 2 0 1 1 1 In line with the agreement, agreement documents at the Aspire Academy on Tuesday. were scheduled to play the first Pearl Gladiators 2 0 1 1 1 Aspire Academy will deliver a match, while the second clash coaching Seminar for all the that Aspire Academy joins this healthy lifestyles within Qatar pitted Flying Oryx against Koora Time coaches before the impactful initiative. Through- society”. Heat Stormers. The incessant The rain-soaked outfield of the Asian Town Stadium, the venue of the ongoing Qatar T10 Cricket League, programme kicks off. Coaches out the last seven years, we In recognition of its positive rain forced the organisers, the on Tuesday. Both matches scheduled for Tuesday evening were washed out. from Aspire Academy will in- have been able to inspire over impact on the health of youth, Qatar Cricket Association, to troduce them to the new meth- 100,000 youth, supporting Qa- Koora Time has won 12 awards call the day off. All the four ers cut short a bold bid for a Khan, Saad Bin Zafar, Iqbal seventh over. odology, and educate trainers tar’s wider sports revolution, locally and internationally. teams got one point each. win by Falcon Hunters and Chaudhry and Irshad Umar Pearl Gladiators contin- on how to organise sessions and the next chapter in our In 2019, Koora Time earned After the third day of the posted their first victory with shared the wickets. ued to rally and they needed and adapt training techniques story will ensure we continue three internationally acclaimed League, Dream Riders lead six runs. Batting first, they put Pearl Gladiators had a hor- 19 runs in the final over with to different circumstances to to offer an attractive platform awards, the latest of which is the table with five points from up a healthy 106 for five on rific start as they lost three three wickets in hands. Ibra- maximise the activation time of that many other children can its fourth Asian Football Con- three games. the board as Zaheer Ibrahim top players for just five runs, him’s two wickets caught participants. benefit from for the foreseeable federation (AFC) Dream Asia They are followed by Fly- and Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal including Salman Butt and them seven runs short of the Andrew Faulkner, Manag- future.” Award in October, received in ing Oryx at three. Falcon played thrilling knocks. Hashim Amla. But by six target. ing Director and Chairman of Bravo stressed that Aspire Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hunters are placed third with Ibrahim, a Qatari play- overs, they raced to 64 for Rizlan cracked two sixes Qatar Shell, and Ivan Bravo, Di- Academy’s re-engagement with In season 7.95 percent of a one and a loss. Swift Gal- er, took 19 balls to compile four, infusing life into their and four boundaries in his 19- rector General of Aspire Acade- Koora Time reflects its commit- participants improved their lopers also have a win in two 32 with three sixes. Akmal challenge through Moham- ball 35, Murad Khan smashed my signed the agreement at the ment to sharing its know-how Body Mass Index (BMI), an in- games, while Heat Stormers smashed two sixes and as med Rizlan mainly. 16 off just seven balls, while Aspire Academy on Tuesday. and expertise in youth coaching ternationally recognised meas- and Pearl Gladiators have one many fours to make 25 off The match took a twist Irshad Khan (nine not out in Commenting on the deal, to further advance the adop- ure of height and weight, using point each, having lost their 16 balls. Zahzab Naveed and as Gayan Mimalashantha re- four balls). Mughees Bajwa, Faulkner said, “This is another tion of a healthy lifestyle among nutritional education and other first matches. Sadiq NM added crucial 15 moved Tamoor Sajjad (13 off Wimalashantha and Ibrahim proud moment in our Koora youth in Qatar, as one of the support to ensure a healthy life- On Monday, Swift Gallop- each. Waqas Maqsood, Murad six balls) and Rizlan in the grabbed two wickets each. Time journey. I’m pleased academy’s missions to promote style and wellbeing.