Al Shaqab’s women’s volleyball team zooms into QF at QOC Beach Games page 14

WEDNESday, DECEMBER 23, 2020

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation visits SC Legacy Pavilion

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), welcomed the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio (left) to the SC Legacy Pavilion on Tuesday, where they discussed on how to strengthen bilateral relations. Di Maio, who was accompanied by Ambassador of Italy to Alessandro Prunas, also learned about plans and prepara- tions for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Blanc’s Al Rayyan hope to rise to ‘Qatar Clasico’ challenge

Al Rayyan’s French coach Laurent Blanc with the team during a training session on Monday. Al Sadd players during training ahead of their clash with Al Rayyan in the QNB Stars League. Al Sadd won the Amir Cup title on Friday. We are ready but we have to change the mentality after winning the Amir Cup because this is a different tournament, says Al Sadd’s Xavi

Tribune Network media ahead of the the Clasico, an important game for us and he said, “I came to Qatar be- also for the fans,” he said. cause I love to develop myself “We have to change the It will be a test of return by fire and love new challenges. The mentality after winning the for Laurent Blanc, now back task will not be easy, especially Amir Cup because this is a dif- as Al Rayyan manager when since I believe it is necessary to ferent tournament. the team takes on QNB Stars develop the performance of Al “We have to forget what League leaders and Amir Cup Rayyan, and this is my mission happened in the Amir Cup winners Al Sadd in ‘Qatar Cla- and that of my staff. final and focus on this match sico’ at the Jassim Bin Hamad “I will work to develop the because it will be very difficult Stadium on Wednesday. team’s performance as we did and complicated. We want to The high-voltage clash not have enough time to pre- compete and continue win- is a much-awaited one with pare for this match. But our ning, and we are now in a good fans from either sides expect- technical staff and players will position in the league. Every- ing nothing less than a vic- give everything we have to one is eager and we are ready tory. That Al Sadd are cur- achieve a positive result in our to face Al Rayyan and continue rent runaway leaders at 25 first match. Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez (left) and Al Rayyan manager Laurent Blanc address the media ahead of their teams’ ‘Qatar Clasico’ QNB Stars at the same level,” the former points and much ahead of Al “I know exactly how im- League match on Tuesday. Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday at 6.30pm. added. Rayyan (on 13 points) would portant this stage is for the In another match today, not have much of a bearing on fans who are waiting for bet- mer France defender, won the the Catalan club the next year. not played against Blanc but knows the importance of the third-placed Al Ahli face Qatar the match as both sides would ter results. The match will not 1998 World Cup on home soil, “The Al Sadd match will I respect him a lot because key clash. “This is a very im- SC, who are fifth in the table. seek to bring out all their ex- be easy and we know that very while Al Sadd’s coach Xavi be difficult because they are he is a big name in the world portant match and means a Meanwhile, Al Kharaitiyat perience and to play their best. well,” added Blanc, who led Hernandez lifted the title with the leaders. They have a coach of football. I welcome him to lot to us. It is also important face Al Arabi with both teams Yet, on paper Blanc and his Paris Saint-Germain to three Spain at the 2010 World Cup who has a football philosophy Qatar and QNB Stars League. in terms of competition for in a precarious position and boys