Sport SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020 I'm enjoyinge role in Qatar’s exciting journey ItIt waswas a great opportunity for me to continue playing football whilwhilee also playing a role in a bigger, national project – with ththee aim of achieving great things off the pitch through the pprogrammes put in place to deliver positive social change beyond 2022. Xavi Hernandez Sport | 18 NBA: PRE-SEASON RESULTS Charlotte 123-115 Orlando, Detroit 97-86 Washington, Houston 128-106 San Antonio, Memphis 128-106 Atlanta Champions H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the Amir Cup champions Al Sadd team members at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium following the Amir Cup final yesterday. Al Sadd edge Al Arabi to clinch Amir Cup title at brand new Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium FAWAD HUSSAIN A general aerial view of the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, the new FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue, following the Amir Cup final yesterday. moments of brilliance, Al Sadd THE PENINSULA were clearly ahead half-way, enjoying 68 percent of ball pos- Doha football giants Al Sadd session and taking 5 shots on yesterday won the Amir Cup target. after edging Al Arabi 2-1 in a They resumed the game in pulsating final at the brand new a similar fashion, attacking Al Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Al Arabi from all sides to double Rayyan. their lead. Most importantly, H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim they were keeping most of the bin Hamad Al Thani handed the ball possession confining Al new glistening Amir Cup trophy Arabi to their fences. to Hassan Al Haydos, the Al Korean substitute Nam Sadd skipper, after his team’s Tae-hee could have scored Al record-extending 17th triumph Sadd’s third goal but his fiery in the country’s most popular hit was well saved by goal- tournament. keeper Ibrahim used his fist to Fireworks replete with kill the move. popular song and dances As tampers flared, Al Arabi sequences added to the coach Hallgrimsson was handed occasion as the fourth FIFA a yellow card by the referee for World Cup Qatar 2022 venue – constantly remonstrating on the previously known as Al Rayyan touchline while Ayoub Azi was Stadium – was inaugurated by also cautioned for a rough the Amir in the presence of tackle against Bounedjah as Al 20,000 fans at the 40,000-seat Arabi strove to make a venue. comeback in the final with 20 H H Sheikh Jassim bin minutes left. Hamad Al Thani, the Personal However, Xavi wanted more Representative of H H the Amir, goals and he sent fresh legs in was also present. Also, among Barcelona legend Xavi Hern- Yesterday, Xavi adopted a Al Sadd's title wins to score and his strike took a Musab Kader and veteran the attendances in the final andez his first Amir Cup title as 4-2-3-1 formation to start the defender’s deflection, giving an Rodrigo Tabata to replace Al were FIFA President Gianni a coach after he mentored the all-important game and he 1974–75: Al Sadd 4–3 Al Ahli unmarked Gunnarsson a chance Haydous and defender Infantino, UEFA President Ale- side to Sheikh Jassim Cup, Qatar didn’t have to wait much to see 1976–77: Al Sadd 1–0 Al Rayyan to score from close range and Abdelkarim Hassan, with Hall- ksander Ceferin, AFC President Cup and the Ooredoo Cup tri- his side scoring the first goal 1981–82: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Rayyan level the score. To remove grimsson also making a few Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, umphs last year. that came from Bounedjah in 1984–85: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Ahli doubt of a potential off side call, substitutions. chief of the Olympic Council of “Mission is complete, yes. the 3rd minute. Spaniard San- 1985–86: Al Sadd 2–0 Al Arabi referee Saud Al Athba consulted In a rare attack, Al Arabi’s Asia (OCA) Sheikh Ahmad Al We are very happy to win the tiago Cazorla’s pass after a ball 1987–88: Al Sadd 4–3 Al Wakrah VAR but quickly gave decision Sotia took a shot on target but Fahad Al Sabah and QFA Pres- Amir Cup. The atmosphere here from Asian Player of the Year 1990–91: Al Sadd 1–0 Al Rayyan in Al Arabi’s favour, making it Meshaal Barsham, who was ident Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa is amazing and I want to thank Akram Afif found Bounedjah, 1993–94: Al Sadd 3–2 Al Arabi 1-1. guarding the Al Sadd goal in Bin Ahmed Al Thani. Qatar for this great show,” a who only needed a touch to put 1999–2000: Al Sadd 2–0 Al Rayyan Al Sadd, however, were still place of top choice Sadd Al Feared striker Baghdad beaming Xavi said after his the ball past Al Arabi goalkeeper 2000–01: Al Sadd 3–2 Qatar SC dominating the match and were Sheeb, comfortably blocked the Bounedjah was the hero for Al team’s win yesterday. Mahmoud Ibrahim for the 2002–03: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Ahli close to regaining lead from attempt. Bounedjah was close Sadd with his first half brace “It was a difficult match. I opener. 2004–05: Al Sadd 0–0 Al Wakrah (5–4) Bounedjah’s header but Ibrahim to completing his hat-trick after while Al Arabi’s goal came from also want to congratulate Al Al Sadd played with their 2006–07: Al Sadd 0–0 Al Khor (5–4 pen) made a diving save to keep he deceived his marker to their Icelandic star Aron Gun- Arabi for their strong per- traditional aggressive style, 2014: Al Sadd SC 3–0 Al Sailiya score-line intact. connect a flying cross from narsson - also in the first formance. We are very happy showing no signs of nerves of a 2015: Al Sadd SC 2–1 El Jaish After Al Arabi’s Soria was Santos but the ball was a bit too session. and we want to win more tro- big match and keeping Al Arabi 2017: Al Sadd SC 2–1 Al Rayyan stretchered off for a short fast. Al Sadd were hot favourites phies and the Amir Cups. We under constant pressure. 2020: Al Sadd SC 2-1 Al Arabi treatment, Bounedjah scored There were a few goal to win the trophy due to their want to compete in every big By the time the clock his second goal in the 44th with threats from Al Arabi late in the phenomenal run of form in the competition like the AFC Cham- reached the quarter-hour mark, a slight touch from Guilherme match but those were not ongoing season and they lived pions League. I think we are the Al Sadd had already made stunned Al Sadd with an Dos Santos strike from outside enough to push the title clash up to expectations with another biggest club (in Qatar) and let’s several more attacks, forcing equaliser through Gunnarsson the circle. Captain Al Haydos to a tie-breaker. outstanding show. Eight-time see what happens in AFC Cham- the Heimir Hallgrimsson- in 23rd minute. cleverly let the ball go of an Afif Soon afterwards Al Sadd champions Al Arabi - playing pions League (next year). We coached Al Arabi to go defensive They won a corner on a pass that paved the way for celebrated their Amir Cup title their first Amir Cup final in 26 must try to do better than the instead of relying on counter counter attack and after veteran Santos’ attempt, eventually after three years and lay hands years – also put up a gallant last time. We have a big squad attacks. Sebastian Soria’s sliding header giving lead back to Al Sadd on the new trophy - the sixth fight against a top side. and I am happy to be part of this Despite being on the off Mahdi Mazaher’s kick hit the before the half-time. in the history of the Al Sadd’s win last night gave successful side,” he said. receiving end, the Dream Team goalpost. Ayoub Azi attempted Although, Al Arabi had few tournament. SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 19 A general aerial view of the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium and the fan zone before the kick off for the Amir Cup final yesterday. The Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium following the Amir Cup final yesterday. Latest Qatar 2022 stadium presented to the world in spectacular launch New Amir Cup trophy unveiled Amir Cup champions Al Sadd players and officials celebrate after winning the final at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium yesterday. Doha football giants Al Sadd yesterday edged out Al Arabi 2-1 in a pulsating final at the brand new FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue in Al Rayyan. H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani handed the new glistening Amir Cup trophy to Hassan Al Haydos, the Al Sadd skipper, after his team’s record-extending 17th triumph in the country’s most popular tournament. Fireworks inside the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium before yesterday's Amir Cup final. A general view of the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium before the kick off of the Amir Cup final Artists performing at the fan yesterday. Zone before the kick off. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 19 DECEMBER 2020 QFA launches 2027 AFC Asian Cup Bid emblem THE PENINSULA – DOHA bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al AFC ASIAN CUP Thani, President of Qatar We are looking forward HOSTS In conjunction with the coun- Football Association, said: “We try’s National Day celebrations, are proud to launch the to achieving our dream the Qatar Football Association emblem of the AFC Asian Cup of hosting the AFC YEAR HOSTS (QFA) on Friday launched the 2027 bid file.