We’re ready. Everyone QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune is eager to take the QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune field. The fact that we’re making our debut in this tournament gives us the motivation to present our best. Al Duhail striker THURSday, FEBRUARY 4, 2021 Debutants Al Duhail determined as they take on tonight Vinay Nayudu

Reigning QNB Stars League champions Al Duhail will be aiming to make a memorable FIFA Club World Cup debut at the Education City Stadium on Thursday. The Red Knights face Af- rican champions Al Ahly of Egypt, who will be making their sixth appearance in the tournament. But the side are determined, have self be- lief, and are focused on putting up their best on home turf. Duhail will be sporting their traditional red jerseys while Al Ahly would be in grey and white. Top clubs from five of foot- ball’s six continental confeder- ations join the host nation rep- Qatar’s Al Duhail during a training session ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup 2020 debut. Egypt’s Africa champions Al Ahly players warmiing up for a training session in Qatar. resentatives Al Duhail in the tournament, to be held at two matches, but that does not with third and fourth places in our opponents. Our goal is to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Today’s Matches mean we have been found the other appearances. make our fans happy.” venues Ahmad bin Ali Stadium wanting. I hope everyone will In 12 matches, Ahly could Given the presen of Kenyan and Education City Stadium. 5pm: Tigers UANL vs Ulsan Hyundai be in their best condition, not even average a goal a game, players in the Al Duhail team, This is the second time Qa- (At Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium) physically, technically and scoring 11 while conceding 22, the Kenyan diaspora would tar is hosting the tournament, 8.30pm: psychologically.” including five against Monter- add to the local support for after 2019. It was scheduled to Al Duhail vs Al Ahly While Al Duhail are aware rey and four against another them while Al Ahly would look start on 1st February when Al (At Education City Stadium) of the challenge that lies ahead, Mexican club, Pachuca. forward to their Egyptian fan Duhail were to play Oceania Al Ahly would be seeking a Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosi- base in Qatar to root for them. representative Auckland City Club World Cup redemption. mane said they respect Al Du- While Thursday’s winners FC, but the latter withdrew ious tournament. tian club Al Ahly, who are the strongest teams in Africa. They haven’t had the suc- hail. “Happy to return to the will face Bayern Munich in the from the competition because “Our preparations have champions of Africa. The fact We’ve to work hard, as the cess not normally associated Club World Cup and play at the semis on Monday, the losers of COVID-19 quarantine meas- been normal. We consider it that we’re making our debut match won’t be easy.” with the most successful club 2022 World Cup stadiums, and will play in the fifth-place game. ures required by authorities in as an honor to participate in in this tournament gives us the Al Duhail defender Bassam on the continent with 20 Con- we respect the Duhail team,” That play-off will be against New Zealand. As a result, The this wonderful tournament,” motivation to present ourselves Al Rawi, said, “Participation federation of African Football he said. the losers of the other quar- Red Knights received a walko- he said, but added, “Facing Al in the best way. All participat- means a lot to us because we’re titles. That’s something the The coach had earlier re- ter-final between North and ver into the second round with Ahly won’t be easy. We’ll have ing clubs will be at a high level, representing the State of Qatar Red Devils take into a marked, “Duhail have good de- Central American champions a 3-0 verdict. to take advantage of all our op- so we must also be at the same and donning the logo of Al Du- quarter-final against Al Duhail. fenders like Moroccan Medhi UANL of Mexico and Asian South American champions portunities. For that, our ranks level. Against Al Ahly, we’ll do hail club in a global champion- It will be the sixth appear- Benatia, who once played for champions Ulsan Hyundai of Palmeiras of Brazil, European must be complete without any our best to win and reach the ship and we have to present a ance by Ahly in the annual Juventus, and some sharp Bra- South Korea. champions Bayern Munich of injuries. Al Ahly have experi- semifinals.” good level and appear in an ex- competition and they desper- zilian forwards. Germany, Asian champions ence in big tournaments, be it Al Duhail’s new Kenyan cellent way. We are fully ready ately want to improve on hav- “A lot of our supporters are Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea the Champions League or Club striker Michael Olunga said, for the tournament and all ing won just three matches of already talking about Bayern and CONCACAF champions World Cup. On our side, we “Al Duhail are a special team players are excited since it’s a 12, losing the rest. and their stars, but we can play Tigres UANL of Mexico are the must believe in ourselves and and one of the biggest clubs in big opportunity. We must play The low point came at the them only if we get past Duhail, AFC President other participating clubs. stay focused.” Qatar. The Club World Cup is to our full potential.” 2013 Club World Cup in Mo- who are just as ambitious as Al Duhail’s French coach Al Duhail’s star striker Al- a good opportunity for me and Al Duhail player Ismail rocco as they were humiliated us.” praises Qatar’s said his team moez Ali said, “We’re ready to my teammates. It’s a challenge Mohammed said, “The team 5-1 by Monterrey of Mexico in Al Ahly goalkeeper, Mo- has been preparing their usual compete. Certainly, everyone for everyone and we’re ready is moving in the right direc- the fifth-place playoff. hamed El-Shenawy, said, “Any efforts in way and consider it as an hon- is eager to take the field, espe- for it. We know the strengths tion even though we didn’t That was the third time Ahly player would wish to be in the our to playing in the prestig- cially since we’re facing Egyp- of Al Ahly, they’re one of the have luck on our side in many finished sixth of seven clubs, Club World Cup. We respect hosting FIFA Club World Cup AFC Champions League champions Ulsan Hyundai brace to meet CONCACAF winners Tigres UANL

Tribune News Network Doha Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President, Asian Football In what would be a return to Confederation. winning ground, Ulsan Hyun- QNA dai – who won the AFC Champi- Kuala Lumpur ons League in Qatar in Decem- ber – will take on CONCACAF President of Asian Football champions Tigres in their open- Confederation (AFC) Sheikh ing FIFA Club World Cup 2020 Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa meeting at the Ahmad Bin Ali on Wednesday praised the State Stadium on Thursday. of Qatar’s efforts in hosting the The South Korean side is FIFA Club World Cup for a sec- however sans their two main ond year running, following the architects of that triumph. successful and safe staging of the Ulsan won their first Asian AFC Champions League 2020 Continental since 2012, when from September to December they beat Iran’s Persepolis 2-1 “We will do our best to represent Asia the best”, said Ulsan Hyundai 2020, which was held at three in the final in Doha with Yoon coach Hong Myung-bo on the match against Tigres UNAL. FIFA World Cup 2022 venues – Bit-garam named the tourna- the , Khalifa ment’s most valuable player. year, with Ricardo Ferretti’s spect,” he said. International Stadium and Edu- But since then, their Brazilian side having the best possible “We are going to face Ulsan cation City Stadium. striker Junior Negrao – who preparation for their clash with great seriousness, humil- The AFC President, said, scored both of his side’s goals against Ulsan. ity and eager to do things well “The Qatar FA and the Supreme in the final – and coach Kim New arrival Carlos Gonza- to move on to the next stage. Committee for Delivery and Do-hoon have left the club. Supporters of Mexico’s Tigres UANL at an event for fans outside Education City Stadium. (AFP) lez has made a strong start to My team is going to play the Legacy have proven their world- Adding to the difficulty is life at the club with two goals way it likes, and taking into class hosting capabilities and the fact that they haven’t been “Our team hasn’t been train- pressure on new arrival Kim giving its best. coming from his first three ap- account the team that we are the success of the AFC Champi- in action since the conclusion ing together for long since we Ji-Hyeon to make an instant “We respect Tigres, but pearances, but had to sit out of going to face, adapting to cer- ons League in 2020 exemplified of the AFC Champions League won the Champions League. impression for the Tigers, they we will be the representatives the last league match due to in- tain things and seeking to im- their incredible organizational in December. But we want to go in with con- will rely on AFC Champions of Asia. We will do everything jury. Ferretti said Gonzalez will pose what we want,” the Tigres excellence and meticulous at- South Korean football leg- fidence. This championship will League MVP Yoon to be the possible because we also rep- have to make do with a place coach added. tention to detail under the most end Hong Myung-bo, who has motivate us to do well. Tigres fulcrum in attack. resent South Korea,” he said. on the substitutes’ bench for Tigres captain and mid- challenging of circumstances. replaced Kim Do-hoon in the have very good players, like Centre-back Kim Kee-hee Meanwhile, Tigres have today’s match, but said he will fielder Guido Pizarro said: “In less than two years, managerial role, has had lim- Carioca, Andre-Pierre Gignac. and defensive midfielder Won emerged as a force on the do- start with French star Andre- “We are facing a difficult and Qatar will welcome the world ited time to prepare the team. We have to think about how to Du-jae will be key in stifling mestic scene in recent years. The Pierre Gignac, who also had dynamic rival. Being here is of football and we have eve- Myung-bo, who played in four defend against them,” he said. the goalscoring threat posed Mexican side’s triumph over Los missed the last league fixture. very important, but when- ry confidence in their abil- FIFA World Cups for South That Ulsan allowed only by Tigres’ all-time leading Angeles FC in the CONCACAF While Tigres will no doubt ever you are here you want ity to stage the best-ever FIFA Korea and captained them to seven goals in 10 matches goalscorer Andre-Pierre Gig- final came a year after their de- start as favourites, Ferretti the best and this is no excep- World Cup, one that will a historic fourth-place finish throughout their 2020 AFC nac. Goalkeeper in Jo Hyeon- feat in the 2019 final. was keen to remind his play- tion. We have arrived in very showcase the highest organi- at 2002 World Cup, admit- Champions League campaign, woo, who has experience being The Tigres have already ers not to take any match or good shape, since the Mexican zational standards as well as ted Uslan will be underdogs will please Myung-bo. successful on the international played four competitive fix- opponent lightly. “There is no championship started. The the warm and most generous against Mexican side Tigres. While there will be the stage, was hopeful of the team tures since the start of the rival that does not deserve re- boys are eager to do well. hospitality,” he added.