FOOTBALL | Page 3 NBA | Page 7 Messi drives Two more To Advertise here Barca to milestones for Call: 444 11 300, 444 66 621 11th straight LeBron as Cavs league win beat Celtics Monday, March 7, 2016 CRICKET Jumada I 27, 1437 AH Nerveless India GULF TIMES beat Bangladesh to win Asia Cup SPORT Page 6 SPOTLIGHT Qatar will have a strong team by 2022: Jorge Fossati ‘I am confident Qatar will have a good national team by 2022 and also that it will be the best ever World Cup ever...’ By Sports Reporter League with Al Sadd in 2011. “Right the 2010 World Cup qualifi ers. Many Doha now the target is to win the league and people asked me if it was time to quit then hopefully defend it successfully my job, but I said I will continue and next season. Asia is not on the radar.” we will compete on even terms. Now, he trademark candour of Al Fossati believes the football revolution Qatar’s standards have shot up while Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati re- he is heralding at Al Rayyan will also help those of these teams have dropped – mains very much intact even build a strong national team ahead of the yes I will include Asian champions after a record-breaking season 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. “Interest in Australia in that list.” Twhich has seen one of Qatar’s most Qatar football is growing. There is a big Fossati believes that the national popular clubs win 20 out of 21 games positive diff erence now from the time I team’s standards will continue rising - wrapping up the QSL title on Satur- managed Al Sadd. Stakeholders of Qatar till the country hosts the showpiece day with a convincing 5-1 win over Al football must have one target before 2022 event in 2022. “I am confi dent Qatar Wakrah. – a strong national team. This is possible will have a good national team by 2022 “It is easy to say that I changed the only with strong clubs. It is a feasible tar- and also that it will be the best ever style of football at Al Rayyan when get as most Qatar national team players World Cup ever because of factors such I took over at the beginning of this play in the Qatar league. The level of the as logistics, football facilities and or- season. But that would be unfair to Qatar Stars League is improving season ganisational skills.” the previous coach and the team, who by season and Inshallah I can continue Fossati, who coached the Uruguay had a good run in the second division helping in my own humble way.” national team to third place in the Copa in the second half of last season,” The 63-year-old tactician, however, America in Peru in 2004, says his home Fossati said in an exclusive interview added with a smile that talking about country needs Paris Saint-Germain with www.sc.qa. a strong national team for 2022 can be forward Edinson Cavani back as a cen- “All I have done is tried to impart my a bit premature. “I am convinced that tre-forward for them to book a place ideas and philosophy of football and Qatar can go far in 2018 qualifi cation. in Russia 2018. He has some advice to the players have to take all the credit The team must be positive in the third his 29-year-old countryman who has because they have responded well. round of qualifi cation – they must been linked to various English Premier The same goes with Al Sadd when I believe that they are better than most League clubs next season including coached them to the AFC Champions teams. I agree that Japan and South Manchester City where Pep Guardiola League in 2011.” Korea are a step ahead but Qatar are on will be at the helm of aff airs. With Al Rayyan’s stadium currently the same level as Australia, Iran, Uz- “Cavani needs to play as a centre for- being re-built for the 2022 FIFA World Al Rayyan Coach bekistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE.” ward,” said Fossati. “He is being used Cup Qatar, it was in the Al Sadd Stadi- Jorge Fossati Fellow Uruguayan Jose Carreno’s as a winger by PSG and also sometimes um that the Uruguayan knows so well side have secured qualifi cation to the as a midfi elder. I can understand this is where the title celebrations began. third round after topping Group C in because Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays as a The modesty which marks Fossati The former Uruguay coach conjures was the Uruguay national team coach to Al Rayyan fans that his side will keep the second round Asian qualifi ers. centre forward.” is also shown in the process of setting up another moment of his disarming when the Barcelona striker made his working hard to win more trophies. They will host Hong Kong on March “Guardiola normally employs two or targets for the club. “It would have been honesty while talking about one com- fi rst professional appearance at Na- “We just need to continue playing good 24 and travel to China on March 29 three forwards and therefore I would crazy to set a target at the beginning of patriot in particular, whose evolution cional in 2005, said with a smile. football and keep the winning mental- to complete their assignments – the strongly advise Cavani to join them the season to be 18 points ahead at the as a modern legend he saw at fi rst hand “But the truth is that there was ity for the remaining part of the season. results of these matches having no next year. I remember I benched Diego top of the standings after 20 rounds,” from a very early stage. no indication, at least for me, in his Triumphing by a historic margin is the bearing to their position in the group Forlan when I was national team man- he laughed. “Initially the target was to “I could lie to you and say that I saw younger days that he would become icing on the cake. Now we need to fo- standings. ager. He was getting very little playing bring back the smiles to the fans and to Luis Suarez playing in the junior ranks the special player that he is now. He cus on the Qatar Cup and Emir Cup. “Qatar must believe in themselves time at Manchester United then. When improve our standards game by game. at Nacional and was convinced he was worked hard and made strides at every And regaining the league next season.” ahead of the third round of qualifi ers he moved to Villarreal his national Then we revised it to a top four fi nish. a child prodigy, a talent who would stage and Uruguay must thank God he Fossati said he is not focusing yet on for Russia 2018. I remember when I team partied because we knew that It was only three rounds ago that we blow your breath away at fi rst glimpse did that.” his new club replicating the triumph was the national coach we got Aus- he will get valuable match time which upgraded to winning the league.” like Maradona or Messi,” Fossati, who In the same spirit, Fossati promised he achieved in the AFC Champions tralia, Iraq, Uzbekistan in the draw for would also benefi t us.” BOTTOMLINE More to come from The Lions : Rayyan chairman l Rayyan’s charismatic chair- man Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid Al Rayyan stars reflect on title win al-Thani expressed his joy and happiness at Al Rayyan’s cor- Stars of QSL side Al Rayyan expressed Tabata had some warm words for the Jumaa: QSL win down to hard work Aonation as Qatar Stars League Champi- their joy at sealing their first Falcon passionate Rayyan fans for their sup- Rayyan defender Mohamed Jumaa ons for the 2015/2016 season. shield in 21 years after defeating Al port and contribution over the season. has assured that overjoyed by his con- Speaking at the crowning for his Wakrah 5-0 at Al Sadd Stadium. QSL “We have faced some diff iculties during tribution of that and his teammates in side the Al Rayyan President said: “Al online caught up with some of the our campaign but with determination delivering the Falcon shield to the QSL Rayyan has smashed all records and players to get their thoughts on the and strength as well as the support by fans. “Thank God for what we have expectations this season and sealed the Lions record breaking season. the Club Management and the fans, we achieved and I am so proud for playing league title with fi ve rounds left to play.” were able to accomplish our goal. We with Al Rayyan, this is a huge club in Al-Thani added: “I would like to Tabata: QSL shield is well-deserved are looking forward for more titles and Qatari football, the league title came congratulate each and every fan and as- achievements in the coming period after lots of hard work and support by sociate of the club. I would like to thank which definitely will be tougher and the Club Board, technical staff and the all Al Rayyan fans for all their support more diff icult.” leadership of head coach Fossati.” and contribution this season which is a Hamed Ismail: This is just the start crucial part of the victory.” Saoud al-Hajri: Have to build on win Rayyan winger Hamed Ismail con- Sheikh Saoud also praised the local Rayyan goalkeeper Saoud al-Hajri was firmed that supporters of Al Rayyan media assuring that Al Rayyan’s victory pleased with his sides performance deserve this trophy.