12 Monday, February 1, 2021 Sports FIFA CWC Qatar 2020: Meet the Contenders AL DUHAIL SC AL AHLY SC Country: Qatar Country: Egypt Qualified: Host nation champions Qualified:CAF Champions League winners FCWC record: First appearance FCWC record: Sixth appearance (best fin- Head coach: Sabri Lamouchi ish: 3rd in 2006) As reigning Qatar Stars League (QSL) champi- Head coach: Pitso Mosimane ons, Al Duhail SC will be flying the flag of the host Widely regarded as world football’s nation at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Red most decorated club, Al Ahly SC have been Knights will be making their debut in the competi- a dominant force in Egyptian and African tion after edging Al Rayyan to last season’s league football, with their success earning them title by a single point. Founded in 2009 as Lekh- the accolade of ‘Club of the Century’ from wiya SC, the club rebranded under the name Al the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Duhail when it merged with El Jaish SC in 2017. Since coming into existence, Al Duhail’s impact on Qatari club The Cairo-based outfit will be making their football has been impressive, as last season’s league triumph was their seventh QSL title. The club’s honour sixth appearance at a FIFA Club World Cup after defeating arch-rivals Zamalek SC 2-1 in the 2020 CAF Cham- roll also includes three Amir Cup titles, three Qatar Cup crowns and two Sheikh Jassim Cup successes. Al pions League final. Their best finish in the competition was third at Japan 2006. Founded in 1907, Al Ahly’s Duhail’s domestic success over the past decade has also earned the club nine consecutive appearances in trophy cabinet includes a remarkable 139 titles in domestic and international club competitions. They are the AFC Champions League since 2012, with the Doha outfit set to take part again in 2021. Al Duhail are led Egypt’s most decorated club, having won 42 Egyptian Premier League titles, 37 Egyptian Cup crowns and by head coach Sabri Lamouchi, who is a familiar face to followers of the QSL. The former France international 11 Egyptian Super Cups. This includes a domestic league and cup double triumph last season. The Red enjoyed spells with Al Rayyan, Umm Salal and Al Kharaitiyat in the latter stages of his playing career. He was Devils are also Africa’s most successful club, with 20 titles to their name. This includes the CAF Champions also El Jaish’s last head coach before the club joined Lekhwiya to become Al Duhail in 2017. The current League (9), CAF Confederation Cup (1), CAF Super Cup (6) and the defunct CAF Cup Winners’ Cup (4). Led squad includes several members of Qatar’s national team, including key players that led the Maroons to AFC by former South African international Pitso Mosimane, Al Ahly’s current squad includes Egyptian international Asian Cup glory in 2019. They include centre back Bassam Al Rawi, midfielders Ali Afif and Assim Madibo, as goalkeeper and club captain Mohamed El Shenawy and left-back Ali Maaloul, who was in Tunisia’s World Cup well as the tournament’s best player and top goal scorer Almoez Ali. squad at Russia 2018. nom- he eyes inated to Tof the represent the football world will Oceania region at ULSAN HYUNDAI FC soon be on the Middle Qatar 2020, withdrew TIGRES UANL Country: Korea Republic Country: Mexico Qualified:AFC Champions League winners East for the first major from the competition Qualified:CONCACAF Champions League winners FCWC record: Second appearance (best finish: 6th place tournament of the year. because of COVID-19 FCWC record: First appearance in 2012) Head coach: Ricardo Ferretti Head coach: Hong Myung-bo The FIFA Club World quarantine meas- No debutant at a FIFA Club World Cup will feel After claiming their second AFC Champions League Cup Qatar 2020™, ures required by au- more delighted at having the opportunity to face the title with a 2-1 victory over Iranian side Persepolis in presented by Alibaba thorities in New Zea- world’s best clubs than Tigres UANL. The Mexican Qatar last month, Ulsan Hyundai FC will make their outfit have been a strong contender to win the CON- second FIFA Club World Cup appearance when they Cloud, will be held from land. CACAF Champions League title in recent years – only return to the Middle East in early February. The Korea 4-11 February after the an- The tournament will also to come up short at the final stage on three previ- Republic club’s triumph in Doha followed their maiden nual competition was delayed ous occasions. Last month, however, Tigres finally success as Asian club champions back in 2012. showcase two FIFA World reached the regional summit when they defeated Founded in 1983 as Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, the by two months due to the Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums: Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the final of the 2020 edition. Tigers concluded their 2020 campaign with success COVID-19 pandemic. Ahmad Bin Ali and Education Founded in 1960, Club de Futbol Tigres de la in the AFC Champions League. On the domestic front, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon have been Ulsan narrowly missed out on more silverware by fin- The top clubs from five City. one of the more consistent sides in Mexico in re- ishing runners-up in K League 1, three points behind of football’s six continental As part of our FIFA Club cent seasons. Among their seven Liga MX titles, champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. It was the same confederations will join host World Cup build-up, qa- their last four triumphs were achieved between 2015 opponent that Ulsan fell short to in the two-leg Korean and 2019 (three Apertura titles, one Clausura crown). FA Cup final, as Jeonbuk secured a league and cup dou- nation representatives Al tar2022.qa takes a closer The Monterrey-based outfit’s honour roll also includes ble with a 3-2 aggregate win. Duhail SC in determining look at the six clubs three Copa MX titles and three consecutive Campeon Along with their two AFC Champions League titles, Ul- de Campeones crowns (2016, 2017, 2018). In his third san’s honour roll includes winning K League 1 in 1996 and who will be crowned seeking to win the spell as Tigres head coach, Brazilian-born Ricardo Ferretti 2005, the Korean FA Cup in 2017, five Korean League Cup the world’s best. prestigious title. is a familiar face in Mexican club football. titles and a Korean Super Cup in 2006. At Qatar 2020, the Auckland City Nicknamed ‘Tuca’, the 66-year-old has been in his current Tigers will be led by a new head coach. Late last month, Korea (SC) role since 2010. That longevity and commitment has finally Republic football legend Hong Myung-bo replaced Kim Do-hoon, FC, who been rewarded with the opportunity to showcase his Tigres side who led the side to Asian glory and secured the club’s berth at the were on a global stage. Ferretti’s squad is a mix of Mexican and foreign upcoming Club World Cup. Hong’s squad includes several players who talent. Defenders Hugo Ayala, Diego Reyes and Carlos Salcedo all have appeared in the FIFA World Cup for Korea Republic. appeared at a FIFA World Cup for Mexico, while winger Javier Aquino featured for El Tri at Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. FC BAYERN MUNICH SE PALMEIRAS Country: Germany Country: Brazil Qualified:UEFA Champions League winners Qualified:CONMEBOL Libertadores winners FCWC record: Second appearance (best finish: FCWC record: First appearance winners in 2013) Head coach: Abel Ferreira Head coach: Hans-Dieter Flick One of the most successful clubs in A German and European football power- Brazilian football, SE Palmeiras were the house, FC Bayern Munich will be looking to follow last club to book their place at the FIFA Club a highly-successful 2019-20 season by claiming World Cup Qatar 2020 following a dramatic a second FIFA Club World Cup title in Qatar. 1-0 victory over fellow Brazilian side Santos Their debut appearance in the competition in the 2020 Copa Libertadores final on 30 resulted in the Bavarians winning the title at January 2021. Their triumph in the Maraca- Morocco 2013. They also claimed the precursor to the Club World Cup on two occasions, winning the Intercon- na Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was the Sao Paulo outfit’s second title, having won the South American club crown tinental Cup title in 1976 and 2001. Bayern secured their berth at Qatar 2020 after claiming their sixth UEFA for the first time back in 1999. Though they will be making their Club World Cup debut in the Middle East, Palmei- Champions League title with a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the final last August. Founded in 1900, Bay- ras appeared in the 1999 Intercontinental Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to English giants Manchester United. ern are Germany’s most successful club, having won a record number of Bundesliga (30), Cup (20), Super Cup They also won the first intercontinental club tournament in the Copa Rio back in 1951. Known as O Verdao (The (9) and League Cup (6) titles. Alongside their six UEFA Champions League titles, Bayern’s success in European Greens), Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras was founded in 1914 and hold the record for the most Campeonato club football includes winning the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1967, the UEFA Cup (now UEFA Europa Brasileiro Serie A championships with ten titles to their name.