Sports Monday, December 21, 2020 13 Qatar Airways congratulates Al Sadd on winning their 17th Amir Cup title

Tribune News Network Doha

Qatar Airways, proud spon- sor of the Amir Cup final, con- gratulated Al Sadd SC, who were crowned Amir Cup champions a 17th time after the final that co- incided with the historic inaugu- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin ration of Al Rayyan Stadium. Ebrahim Al Khalifa and FIFA President Gianni Infantino award the The match took place on AFC Champions League trophy to South Korean team Ulsan Hyundai’s Qatar National Day, marking captain at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday. exactly two years until the fi- nal of the FIFA World Cup Qa- tar 2022. AFC President The Al Rayyan Stadium is the latest FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM Stadium to thanks Qatar be unveiled, embodying vari- ous aspects of Qatari heritage, combined with the sleekness for hosting AFC of its modern design, with its most striking feature being its Al Sadd with the Amir Cup trophy they won beating Al Arabi in the Amir Cup final at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan on Friday.( AFP) illuminating façade and pat- Champions League terns that reflect the core pil- vation than on the important includes Paris Saint-Germain, Qatar Airways currently Airline in the Middle East’, lars of Qatar. The 40,000-seat- occasion of Qatar’s National AS Roma, Boca Juniors, FC operate more than 700 weekly ‘World’s Best Business Class’, QNA sponsors as well as the media er stadium is set to host seven Day. We would like to extend Bayern München, K.A.S. Eu- flights to over 100 destinations and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, Doha and our passionate fans, so matches up to round 16 stage our appreciation to the Qatar pen and Al Sadd SC. In addi- across the globe. A multiple in recognition of its ground- many of whom continue to be of the FIFA World Cup. Football Association for organ- tion, Qatar Airways is Official award-winning airline, Qatar breaking Business Class ex- Asian Football Confederation engaged in record numbers. Qatar Airways Group Chief ising this year’s Amir Cup, our Sponsor and the Official Air- Airways was named ‘World’s perience, Qsuite. It is the only (AFC) President Shaikh Sal- “And finally, but most im- Executive, Akbar Al Baker, partnership with whom dem- line Partner of FIFA and the Best Airline’ by the 2019 airline to have been awarded man bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa portantly, to the medical team said, “We remain committed onstrates our dedication to upcoming FIFA World Cup World Airline Awards, man- the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of has paid tribute to this year’s in Qatar, our doctors, and to supporting the national vi- sponsoring world-class sports Qatar 2022TM. The carrier aged by the international air the Year’ title, which is recog- centralized hosts Qatar Foot- front liners as well as the del- sion of our country, and there tournaments and teams.” has key partnerships with sev- transport-rating organisation nised as the pinnacle of excel- ball Association and the Qatar egation in Qatar. Our achieve- is no better way to combine The Qatar Airways foot- eral other high-profile sport Skytrax. lence in the airline industry, Government and hailed the ef- ments would not have been our passion for sport and inno- ball family of top global clubs events and organisations. It was also named ‘Best five times. forts of the medical teams and possible without you and this frontline workers in Qatar. success is a tribute to all of you To mark the return of who have shown great resolve Asian football and the AFC and commitment. Champions League 2020 in “Today, we celebrate the Qatar Clasico to highlight QNB Stars League’s Week 10 action September, the AFC launched best of Asian club football, but the #FootballForHeroes cam- we also salute your remark- QNA reasons than one, as it evokes to be enthralling. paign paying homage to the able spirit and sacrifice.” Doha keen interest among all stake- Reigning champions Al front liners and healthcare Also, the AFC President holders in Qatar football. Duhail, placed fifth with 15 professionals. said: “On behalf of the AFC The 2020-21 season QNB Al Rayyan, who have an- points, take on Al Khor, 10th In a statement on AFC and Asian football family, I Stars League’s Week 10 match- nounced their contract with with seven points in the week’s website, the AFC President would like to congratulate both es will be played on Tuesday eminent French coach Laurent opening fixture. said: “On behalf of the Asian Persepolis and Ulsan Hyundai and Wednesday, 22nd and Blanc, are placed sixth with 13 Al Sailiya, seventh with 11 football family, I want to un- for producing a memorable 23rd December, 2020, with points, while Al Sadd are top- points, clash with Umm Salal, derline our gratitude once night of spectacular football. three games on each day. Al ping the table with 25 points ninth with eight points, and again to the Qatar Football As- “Ulsan Hyundai deserve Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Ahli and an unbeaten record. third-placed Al Gharafa (18 sociation, the Qatar Authori- our praise for showcasing out- Stadiums will host the games. Next comes in terms of points) run into eighth-placed ties and all our participating standing quality and I would The Week 10 fixtures are prominence is a clash between Al Wakrah (10 points) in Tues- clubs. It was an incredible like to congratulate everyone, Al Duhail vs Al Khor (16:00, Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Arabi The Qatar Clasico between the top-four teams – Al Ahli day’s other matches. team effort that showcased the from the players, officials as Al Duhail Stadium), Al Sail- (16:00, Al Ahli Stadium), Al heavyweights Al Rayyan and vs Qatar SC. Bottom-placed Al unity and solidarity of Asian well as the backroom staff, all iya vs Umm Salal (18:30, Al Ahli vs Qatar SC (18:30, Al Al Sadd will be the highlight Al Ahli are second in the Kharaitiyat (six points) face football. of those working behind the Duhail Stadium), Al Ghara- Ahli Stadium) and Al Rayyan of Week 10 action. It is on top standings with 19 points the challenge of 11th-placed Al “I must also thank our scenes for their resilience and fa vs Al Wakrah (18:30, Al vs Al Sadd (18:30, Al Sadd of the list of signature matches and Qatar SC fourth with 15 Arabi (also six points) in the broadcast partners, our loyal commitment. Sadd Stadium) on Tuesday, Stadium) on Wednesday. of QNB Stars League for more points. The encounter is sure other fixture.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE Father and son goalkeepers merge Al Rayyan’s past, present & future hen Younes Ahmed with the same club. Ahmad Bin hopefully be one of the players different for Fahad. made his debut for Al Ali Stadium was inaugurated that will get to play in this sta- “I was really young when WRayyan Sports Club on 18 December when it hosted dium in the future.” my father used to play. I was in 1978, football in Qatar was the Amir Cup final – a trophy Younes added: “Having maybe five or six years old, so a rapidly growing sport. Just Younes lifted in 1997. a venue like this in Qatar will I don’t remember much but I a year earlier, the Qatar na- “The Amir Cup final that without a doubt have a positive do remember watching a lot of tional team played its first FIFA year is the most memorable impact on our ability to develop videos of him playing. I hope World Cup qualifier against club game of my career,” said football in this country, particu- playing in Ahmad Bin Ali Sta- neighbouring Bahrain. More Younes. “It was the sixth final larly in terms of producing gen- dium becomes a launching than four decades later, Younes that I played in having lost the erations of future talent.” pad for my career. I want to stands on the turf at Ahmad previous five. Al Rayyan hadn’t Having the opportunity make my father proud – just as Bin Ali Stadium, one of eight won the tournament for 25 to play in a World Cup stadi- proud as I was when I used to stadiums that two years from years, so when I became the um means something entirely watch him play.” (SC) now will host matches during first captain to lift the cup after the first FIFA World Cup in the such a long absence, it made the Middle East and Arab world. match and victory one that I will For Younes, the moment is never forget.” made even more momentous Younes added: “From the As a Qatari citizen, I am honoured to see stadiums like by the fact he is joined by his beginning, I dreamed of Fahad this. It’s something to be proud of, to have a beautiful son, Fahed Younes Ahmed, the playing for Al Rayyan, the same stadium built to such high standards that is characterised current Al Rayyan goalkeeper. club I proudly represented for by the beautiful red and black colours of the seats. I wish Father and son are proud that so many years. Having a huge the 40,000-capacity venue will fan base like the one Al Rayyan Younes Ahmad and his son Fahed Younes Ahmed both Al Rayyan goalkeepers. Fahed is looking forward to that I could’ve played in a stadium like this when I was a soon become the new home of has means that players are con- follow in the footsteps of his father, who played as Qatar’s first choice goalkeeper for 17 years. player, but what does give me joy is that my son will Al Rayyan – and while Fahed stantly under pressure to excel, hopefully be one of the players that will get to play in this is looking forward to playing in but I believe that is a positive stadium in the future. the new venue, he also has an- space to be in as an emerging other dream – to represent his player like Fahad is.” Former Qatar first choice goalkeeper Younes Ahmad. country and follow in the foot- Known as ‘The Fierce’, Al steps of his father, who played Rayyan are renowned for their as Qatar’s first choice goalkeep- wide support, with fans span- er for 17 years. ning the entire Gulf region. “When the World Cup gets Dubbed ‘Al Rayyan Nation’, underway in 2022, my dream supporters of the club have seen is to be part of the starting 11 the side crowned champions of representing Qatar,” says Fa- Qatar on eight occasions – most had, who joined Al Rayyan after recently in 2015 – and Amir graduating from the world-re- Cup winners six times. nowned Aspire Academy. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, “I know that the level at which is set to host matches up which my father played is diffi- to and including the round of 16 cult for any goalkeeper to reach. stage during Qatar 2022, is built It requires a lot of sacrifice and on the site of the old Ahmed Bin a sharp mindset. You need to Ali Stadium. remain focused in the face of A large proportion of the tremendous challenges. I doubt materials from the old venue that I will be able to surpass were used in the new develop- The football legacy of Al Rayyan and the new and magnificent Ahmad Bin Younes him, but I aspire to reach his ment and precinct. During leg- Ali Stadium. Ahmad and level one day,” he added. acy mode, the stadium’s top tier Fahed Younes While taking in the views will be removed, with the excess stadiums like this. It’s some- and black colours of the seats. Ahmed at the of the new Ahmad Bin Ali Sta- seats donated to create sporting thing to be proud of, to have a I wish that I could’ve played Ahmad Bin dium, Younes recalled his own venues in Qatar and overseas. beautiful stadium built to such in a stadium like this when I Ali Stadium career as he looks forward to Younes said: “As a Qatari high standards that is char- was a player, but what does in Al Rayyan. witnessing Fahad’s journey citizen, I am honoured to see acterised by the beautiful red give me joy is that my son will