Van Marwijk Gets Australia World Cup Nod the Leganes Debacle
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NNBABA | Page 5 TTENNISENNIS | Page 6 Irving Cilic ends sparks as Edmund’s run Celtics halt at Aussie Open losing streak to enter fi nal Friday, January 26, 2018 CRICKET Jumada I 9, 1439 AH Pakistan fi nally GULF TIMES overcome Black Caps with T20 win SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL/ ASIAN U23 Sanchez says Qatar up for game ‘nobody likes to play’ ‘Our players are going to do their best like they did in all the other games to play a good game’ AFC Kunshan The Qatar squad pose ahead of their match against South Korea in snowy Kunshan. At right, coach Felix Sanchez. atar coach Felix Sanchez be- lieves his players have the character to overcome the disappointment of not reach- Qing the fi nal of the AFC U23 Champion- ship 2018 and secure victory over South Korea in the third place playoff today. Sanchez’s side lost in a penalty shootout to Vietnam while the Koreans were eliminated by Uzbekistan to set up the encounter between the two, with the Qataris appearing in the third place play-off for the second tournament in a row. Qatar lost out in extra-time to Iraq Meanwhile, interest in tomorrow’s in 2016 to miss out on a berth at the fi nal has reached fever pitch in Viet- Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but nam as fans await the fi nal with Uz- the Spanish coach will ask his players bekistan. for one last push before concluding Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung’s saves their involvement in this year’s com- helped Vietnam seal a place in the last petition. two thanks to a 4-3 penalty shootout “This is the game that nobody likes defeat of Qatar on Tuesday, following to play, but we need to make the last ef- an extraordinary 2-2 draw at the end of fort to play a good game tomorrow,” he extra-time. said. In the wake of the victory, hundreds “Our players are going to do their of thousands of supporters, many best like they did in all the other games shouting ‘Vietnam champion’, fl ooded to play a good game.” city streets across the country, with “The situation is we didn’t qual- the excitement showing no sign of ify (for the fi nal) without losing any abating as the crunch tie against Uz- games. We had four victories and one bekistan approaches. draw after 120 minutes, so it is not easy. “I’m so happy! Our class told But our players have a very positive throughout the match, and we burst mentality and they know that some- into tears when (Vu) Van Thanh scored times football has this. (the decisive penalty). Thanks to the “I think they are ready and, of course, players, thanks to the coach! Now we’ll we plan for the game for tomorrow. head to celebrate,” student Minh Nguy- Yesterday and today we will see how iar conditions for Sanchez’s team. and tomorrow morning we will decide.” who was sent off during their 4-1 played extra time, but our players will en told VnExpress International after the players are doing, especially physi- But he does not think the frigid tem- “As for the conditions, it’s diff er- extra-time loss against Uzbekistan, do their best,” he said. the game. cally because it’s been a long tourna- peratures will provide cause for con- ent to what we are used to but it’s not leaving coach Kim Bong-gil to decide “Our players are well prepared and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen ment and the last game was tough.” cern for Qatar. an excuse. Many of them have played who will replace the Jeonbuk Hyundai they know how important this match Xuan Phuc has also been quick to con- The Qataris arrived in Kunshan on “We need to evaluate some players outside Qatar with these conditions so man in central midfi eld. is. They are eager to get third place and gratulate the U23 team and head coach Wednesday evening from Changzhou because there are some doubts,” said it won’t aff ect us.” “We are ready for the last match, they’ll do their best. Tomorrow is the Park Hang-seo, declaring that the and woke up yesterday to a blanket of Sanchez of the physical condition of his The Koreans, meanwhile, will go the third place match, even though last match in this tournament and they team’s success was a signifi cant event snow over the city, providing unfamil- players after fi ve games. “We will test into the game without Jang Yun-ho our players are exhausted because we will give their all.” that would be always remembered. BOTTOMLINE Qatar will deliver all stadiums two years before the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Offi cial he Supreme Committee for De- already completed and was opened by liver the perfect pitch for 2022. Our aim livery & Legacy (SC) remains on File photo of Yasser His Highness The Emir last May. The is to develop a signature pitch that can track to deliver all its stadiums al-Mulla, senior manager other seven stadiums are currently be- be used in winter or summer, in shade two years before the 2022 FIFA with the SC’s Landscape ing constructed, with two – Al Wakrah or in sunlight.” Al-Mulla revealed that TWorld Cup kicks off . Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium – close to the SC had tested 24 diff erent types of & Sport Turf Management Yasser al-Mulla, the SC’s Landscape department. completion.” grass during its research and also bro- & Sport Turf Management Senior Man- As well as updating delegates on in- ken a world record by relaying the pitch ager, told delegates at the 2018 Euro- frastructure progress, al-Mulla spoke at Khalifa International Stadium in just pean Stadium & Safety Management about the power of hosting mega events 13.5 hours. Association (ESSMA) Summit that all such as the FIFA World Cup™. He added: “Our trials have provided eight venues would be completed well “The event is helping to accelerate insightful data on grass resilience for in advance of the tournament. progress across Qatar,” said al-Mulla. diff erent weather conditions and soil “It is also helping to break down social types. We will soon reveal the signature ‘Khalifa International barriers. We know that sport has the design grass species to be used during Stadium is already completed power to bring people together and help the tournament.” and was opened by His Highness them understand diff erent cultures. The annual ESSMA Summit off ers a The Emir last May. The other “Hosting the fi rst World Cup in the platform for stadium professionals to seven stadiums are currently Middle East is a huge responsibility and share, learn and discuss topics related being constructed, with two – Al we are determined to make the whole to stadium development, operations Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt region very proud.” and ticketing, sustainability, safety and Stadium – close to completion’ During a separate presentation, al- security, fan entertainment and hospi- Mulla gave details of the SC’s pitch de- tality, and pitch management. He also said that Qatar remains com- velopment project and its drive to create This year’s summit, which was mitted to hosting a historic event that the perfect playing conditions for 2022. held in partnership with the Euro- bridges cultures in just four years’ time. “We have developed signifi cant turf pean Professional Football Leagues “All the stadiums will be completed development knowledge for Qatar’s and European Club Association, at- two years before the tournament starts,” conditions,” said Al Mulla. “We have tracted speakers from numerous foot- al-Mulla informed delegates at the Avi- created a state-of-the-art research ball clubs, including Arsenal, Bay- va Stadium in Dublin. and development centre – one of only ern Munich, Juventus and Valencia. “Khalifa International Stadium is two in the world – which aims to de- (www.sc.qa) Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 26, 2018 FOOTBALL QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sailiya eye much-needed win against Al Markhiya Sailiya are fourth despite being Al Arabi are one place behind winless in last five matches Qatar SC in 10th with 10 points. By Sports Reporter De Souza replaced Burkina Doha Faso striker Alain Traore, while Oliveira came in place of Gha- naian forward Kwame Karikari, l Sailiya will take on Al who moved to Al Arabi. However, Markhiya, while Qatar The Oryxes will miss captain Bi- SC will lock horns with lal Mohammed, out of action for Al Arabi today in the almost fi ve weeks with a muscle AWeek 14 of the QNB Stars League. injury. Al Sailiya, who lost 0-6 to Sailiya, coached by Tunisian Al Sadd, are on 20 points and Al Sami Trabelsi, will perhaps be the Markhiya, who lost 0-1 to Qatar most lucky side in terms of posi- SC, have eight points. Al Sailiya tion in the standings. They stayed had won 5-2 in the fi rst phase. fourth despite going winless for Al Markhiya coach Yousef fi ve consecutive matches. Adam said: “We made many Trabelsi admitted that his mistakes in our last game against players’ morale was low ever Qatar SC which we lost despite since they received a red card controlling the ball more than the during their 0-1 loss to Al Khor in opponents. We also missed many November. scoring opportunities. When we The match against Al Markhiya failed to score, they took advan- will be a good chance for the Per- tage of an early goal.