New QNB Stars League Season Kicks Off Today Education City Stadium to Host Its First Official Match
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Serena sets record with 102nd victory at US Open PAGE 14 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 New QNB Stars League season kicks off today Education City Stadium to host its first official match The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium will welcome QNB Stars League (QSL) sides Al Sadd and Al Kharaitiyat SC for the 2020-21 season opener on Thursday at 18:15pm. ‘Diamond in the Desert’ will come aglow with first QNB Stars League action SC.QA able temperatures year-round tionally challenging circum- DOHA for players and fans. stances, and set the standard Commenting on the sig- for the innovative nature of FOLLOWING a digital launch nificance of the return to Qatar 2022. announcing the completion football in light of the global Hosting QSL matches, of Education City Stadium in pandemic, HE Hassan Al Tha- amongst numerous others this June this year, specially pro- wadi, Secretary General of the season at the venue, is a vital grammed as a tribute to front- Supreme Committee for De- opportunity for us to test and line healthcare workers during livery & Legacy added, “Seeing refine the stadium’s opera- the COVID-19 pandemic, the the gradual, safe return of fans tional readiness and ensure it venue will now host its first of- to stadiums around the world helps deliver on our prom- ficial match. is a true testament to our re- ises to players and fans in the The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadium will welcome QNB Stars League (QSL) sides Al Sadd SC and Al Kharaitiyat SC for the 2020/2021 sea- son opener on Thursday at 18:15PM Doha time. Al Sadd’s stars Rodrigo Tabata (running) and Akram Afif during one of the team’s training sessions ahead of QNB Stars League new season. Dubbed the ‘Diamond in the Desert’, Education City Stadium has a capacity of 40,000 and is set to host Xavi aiming for a good start matches up to and including the quarter-finals stage during the FIFA World Cup 2022™. The stadium is located in the against Al Kharaitiyat heart of Qatar Foundation for The Education City Stadium at night. Education, Science and Com- munity Development, and silience as societies, and to the build-up to and during the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK surrounded by leading univer- great work that was carried tournament in 2022.” DOHA sities, educational institutions out by frontline healthcare When asked about the im- and recreational facilities. workers in Qatar and beyond. portance of hosting the open- LESS than two weeks after Al Once the FIFA World We are really excited to mark ing match of this season, QSL Duhail claimed the QNB Stars Cup™ is over, the stadium’s ca- the return to football in Qatar CEO Hani Taleb Ballan said, League title for the 2019/20 pacity will be reduced by half, at our newest stadium, and “It’s a privilege for the QSL season, the league returns with 20,000 seats used as part give fans and players a taste to have its season opener be again as the 2020/21 season of legacy programmes that will of what to look forward to in the first match to be played at kicks off on Thursday. support the creation of sports 2022 and beyond.” Education City Stadium, par- Due to COVID-19 health facilities in developing coun- Nasser Al Khater, CEO ticularly as we are safely and protocols, three stadiums will tries around the world. of the FIFA World Cup Qa- gradually welcoming fans back be used for the start of the Education City Stadium tar 2022, added “The digital into stadiums across Qatar.” season; the 2022 World Cup was the first tournament ven- launch of Education City Sta- With the launch of the Stadium Education City, Al Al Kharaitiyat coach Yousef Adam. ue to achieve a five-star design dium in June, marking the 2020/2021 QNB Stars League Gharafa, and Al Ahli Stadiums. and build rating from the Glob- readiness of the third FIFA season, fans will be allowed to On the opening weekend, al Sustainability Assessment World Cup venue after Al attend matches in accordance record champions Al Sadd TODAy’s MaTCHES System (GSAS), and as with all Janoub and Khalifa Interna- with the safety regulations will face newly promoted Al Kharaitiyat vs Al FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ tional Stadiums, was a major outlined in Phase 4 of the con- Al Kharaitiyat at the Educa- stadiums, advanced cooling tournament milestone which trolled phased lifting of COV- tion City Stadium. Sadd (6.15pm at technologies ensure comfort- was delivered under excep- ID-19 restrictions in Qatar. The Wolves would be Education City Stadium) seeking to reclaim the Falcon Shield after a lacklustre sea- Al Sailiya vs Al Rayyan son, which saw them lose five (6.15pm at Thani Bin matches in Xavi Hernandez’s Messi meeting stalemate as father first year as coach. However, Jassim Stadium - a summer of reimbursements Gharafa Club) casts further doubt on son’s future with Santi Cazorla and Guil- herme Torres should boost the Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC DPA Wolves’ midfield, especially (8.30pm at Thani Bin BARCELONA after injuries to Salem al Hajri Jassim Stadium - and Hassan al Haydos last LIONEL Messi’s father, Jorge, season left the squad stretched Gharafa Club) has cast further doubt on the thin in creativity. Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez during one of his team’s training likelihood his son will play for Xavi will also expect Bagh- sessions recently. Barcelona again. dad Bounedjah to overcome horns at the Al Gharafa Stadi- “I think it will be difficult, his difficulties in front of goal They are a good team, they re- against their much-fancied um. Al Rayyan’s target will be difficult,” Jorge Messi told in the QSL and the AFC Cham- ally work well and have a good opponents but is optimistic of winning the league at all cost Spanish television Deportes 4 pions League. coach – Yousuf Adam; I re- their chances. after coming close last season when asked about the chances Ahead of the season open- spect him a lot. When we faced “This match will not be only to lose out on the last day. of him staying at the club. er, though, Xavi hailed the his teams, it was tough,” the easy because Al Sadd is a big Coach Diego Aguirre said The response was given Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi arrives at his apartment recent arrivals but quickly Spaniard said. team having distinguished his side can repeat last sea- as Messi senior headed for a in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday. (AFP) stressed that Al Kharaitiyat On the recent signings, he players and we respect them son’s form and even better. Wednesday evening meeting will pose a difficult challenge. said, “I am pleased because I just as we respect all teams we “I am confidentthat Al with Barcelona president Jo- But after a one-and-a-half-hour been served in June and that “We want to start well, but know Cazorla and Guilherme, play against. We have stud- Rayyan are able to repeat sep Bartomeu, which media in meeting it appeared that the he is back under contract with as I insisted since last season, and for sure, they have to be ied them well; they have their what we did last season. It is Spain reported failed to break player is unlikely to begin pre- a release clause. Messi has been the QSL has improved a lot, the team leaders, and they will strengths and weaknesses like very important for us to start stand-off between the two sides. season training with new Bar- linked with a move to Premier so every game will be tough help us a lot. We are talking any other team. strongly and win the first Messi has boycotted the first celona coach Ronald Koeman. League Manchester City, but to win. We are ready to com- about players from another “Our ambition in the new match. If you remember, we two training sessions of pre-sea- Diario Sport reported that the club is unwilling to make a pete, and we want to start well. level. We are talking about season is to get stabilised first drew our first three matches son after sending a burofax (re- Bartomeu attended the meet- move until the transfer situa- In front of Al Kharaitiyat, we top players who played in Eu- and gradually develop in the last season and wasted early corded mail) to Barcelona last ing with director Javier Bor- tion has been clarified. have a new team in the com- rope, in Spain, in the Premier following seasons. We seek points. We do not want that week communicating his desire das. Jorge Messi was accom- Asked by reporters if it was petition, but we faced them in League, in Greece, so I’m sure to satisfy everyone in terms this time around and I trust to leave on a free transfer. panied by son Rodrigo and true Guardiola had advised the quarterfinals of the Amir they will help the team.” of level and positive results,” my players,” said Aguirre. It had been hoped after lawyer Jorge Pecourt. Messi Sr that his son should stay Cup last season, and it was Al Kharaitiyat coach Adam said. Al Gharafa and Qatar SC Jorge Messi flew into Barce- Barcelona continue to in- at Barcelona, Jorge Messi re- challenging because they have Yousef Adam knows his Also on Thursday, Al complete Thursday’s fixtures lona on Wednesday morning sist that any notice that Messi plied: “I have not spoken to Pep.