New Zealand QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune win thrilling QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune final to emerge World Test Champions PAGE 14 THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 I assure everyone Al Helwe stunner sends of our ability to organise the World Lebanon to FIFA Arab Cup safely in light of Cup 2021 main draw COVID-19: Thawadi QNA DOHA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA SUPREME Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) HILAL Alhelwe’s strike earned Secretary-General Hassan Lebanon a 1-0 win over Dji- Al Thawadi has confirmed bouti and a place in the FIFA that the 2022 FIFA World Arab Cup 2021 main draw at Cup in Qatar will be the first Hassan Al Thawadi the Khalifa International Sta- global event around which dium on Wednesday. everyone gathers after the about Qatar, its people and It was far from an easy win COVID-19 pandemic, espe- culture. “Since the tourna- for Lebanon, who despite be- cially since “we succeeded ment will witness perhaps ing 90 places above Djibouti in organizing major sport- a visit of people for the first in the world rankings, failed to ing events, during which we time to the Middle East, break down their opponents. followed a strict health pro- and with their arrival, their But Alhelwe’s moment of tocol to protect against this view will change by living brilliance in the 47th minute virus”. the experience of the World saved Lebanon the blushes Speaking during a dia- Cup in Qatar and getting to as they joined Algeria, Egypt logue session entitled “The know it,” he added. and Libya in Group D for Arab 2022 World Cup and Be- Thawadi also stressed world’s football showpiece yond” at the Qatar Eco- that many people who visit- event later this year. nomic Forum, Thawadi ed Qatar take into consider- Djibouti, ranked 183rd to said, “I assure everyone of ation “our culture and cus- Lebanon’s 90, played with a our ability to organise the toms and the best evidence deep defence and frustrated 2022 FIFA World Cup in a of this is the Club World their rivals for a large part. But safe manner in the light of Cup 2019, where fans from Lebanon, who are on a high af- the COVID-19 pandemic. Britain, Mexico and oth- ter reaching the next round of Everyone can celebrate the ers were contacted to make World Cup qualifying recently, recovery from this pandem- them feel comfortable, and grew in strength as the game ic, as there are signs that they are now impatiently grew on and their experience the vaccine may provide the awaiting the launch of the prevailed in the end. masses with a unique op- World Cup in order to re- This inter-continental Lebanon’s Kassem El Zein (C-R) heads a shot during the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 qualifier match between Lebanon and Djibouti at the Khalifa portunity to celebrate here turn again to Qatar, given clash started with Lebanon International Stadium on Wednesday. (AFP) in Qatar.” the warm reception they re- enjoying the lion’s share of He stressed that the ceived.” possession with the Asian 2022 FIFA World Cup will “We are looking forward side’s first chance arriving in be safe and secure. to embracing the world, the 20th minute. After Nour “We are proud that this and everyone who wants to Mansour’s through ball found major event will come to come back and is excited Mohamed Haidar, the latter Qatar... We currently have about the 2022 World Cup charged towards the Djibouti many people present in will certainly feel satisfied. box but goalkeeper Mboni- Europe to benefit from the We will provide all guaran- hankuye Innocent was quick health protocols that are tees for everyone who wants to spot the danger and blocked currently applied there, and to be in Qatar in order to the shot. also in North America in the enjoy the World Cup atmos- At the other end, Djibou- Gold Cup and all this for the phere,” he said. ti had a decent chance but sake of learning to preserve Thawadi said, “Qatar Temidayo Samuel’s cut back the safety of people, and we welcomes everyone without was shot wide by Maham- look forward to the Tokyo exception, and my message oud Doualeh with both teams Olympics as well to learn to the world is that they locked goalless at half-time. from them,” he said. know that Qatar is a country After the break, Lebanon Thawadi said, “We have of hospitality, and the 2022 came back with more intent repeatedly emphasised that World Cup will be an im- and took the lead in the 47th the 2022 World Cup will be portant opportunity to dis- minute. Arab, Gulf, Middle Eastern, pel inaccurate fears about After Innocent gave pos- and our doors will remain Qatar and the entire region. session with his goal kick, Mo- open to all... The Qatar We have been subjected to hamed Haidar picked out Al- World Cup will also be an many criticisms from trade helwe with a clever chip with Lebanon’s players celebrate after winning the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup opportunity to build bridg- unions regarding the situa- the striker then controlling the qualifier match against Djibouti at the Khalifa International Stadium es and enhance diplomacy tion of some workers in Qa- ball superbly before slamming Lebanon’s forward Hilal AlHelwe celebrates scoring during the 2021 on Wednesday. (AFP) between people, as we are tar. .. We have made many into the net. Alhelwe’s ninth FIFA Arab Cup qualifier against Djibouti at the Khalifa International a hospitable and welcoming reforms and we continue goal for his country gave Leba- Stadium on Wednesday. (AFP) equaliser. nary round will be completed country.” to work through the accu- non the momentum and they Lebanon join Sudan, with two matches, the first be- Thawadi indicated that mulation of experience, the created more chances there- threatened a couple of times Khalil. Innocent then made Oman, Jordan and Maurita- tween Palestine and Comoros the World Cup will be an commitment we have made after but failed with finished with forward Mahabeh Mahdi some smart saves to keep nia from the play-off matches today, and the second between opportunity for the people in the past years determines touches. coming the closest but was Djibouti in the game, but the to have qualified for the Arab Bahrain against Kuwait on of the world to learn more our progress well today.” On the counter, Djibouti denied by goalkeeper Mehdi Africans could not find the Cup main draw. The prelimi- Friday. Well-prepared Palestine all set to take on Comoros TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK “It will be a difficult match DOHA and both teams will have equal chance of winning. The Asian EAGER and keen to prove double qualifiers were the their mettle, Palestine will take best preparation for us and we on Comoros in what would be need to be focused,” the Pales- an exciting FIFA Arab Cup tine coach said. 2021 qualifying encounter at Comoros assistant coach the the Jassim Bin Hamad Younis Zarduk, meanwhile, Stadium on Thursday. was confident of a good per- The match is expected to formance from his team. produce some thrills as the “Our team is a unit and all two aspiring teams won’t the players are looking for- spare anything in their at- ward to qualify for the prestig- tempt to make the main draw ious Arab Cup. Palestine are a of FIFA Arab Cup. good side and it is going to be World No.104 Palestine, a difficult match,” Zarduk told considered as an emerging reporters yesterday. football nation in Asia, will “We want to play the Arab have an upper hand going into Cup and that ambition will the match but rising Comoros, Palestine coach Makram Daboub speaks to the media on Wednesday bring the best out of players. who are seeking qualification ahead of his team’s FIFA Arab Cup qualifier against Comoros. We are looking forward to win in second major event after the match,” he added. booking their maiden ticket ready for the match with an preparations for what will be a Comoros, who are placed for the next Africa Cup of Na- eye on qualification forA rab crucial match for us,” Daboub Comoros coach addresses the media ahead of his team’s FIFA Arab Cup qualifier against Palestine. at No.131 in the FIFA rank- tions, may prove themselves a Cup, after going out of conten- told reporters at a virtual news ings, have made four appear- difficult challenge for the ‘The tion for FIFA World Cup Qatar conference on Wednesday. best football nations of the their chances of qualifying for included African powerhouse ances in the COSAFA Cup and Lions of Canaan’. 2022 berth recently in Saudi “Our target is to win as region, will be a huge achieve- the Qatar 2022, made amends Egypt, Kenya and Togo, and won two bronze medals at the Palestine coach Makram Arabia. qualifying for the Arab Cup, ment,” he added. by qualifying for Cameroon Daboub, was expecting a Indian Ocean Island Games in Daboub said his team was “We have completed our which will bring together the Comros, who saw an end to 2021 from a tough group that tough fight from Comros. 1979 and 1985. Sports Thursday, June 24, 2021 13 Ronaldo equals world record with 109 goals Ronaldo converted two more than German Miroslav Portugal and penalties in a rematch of the Klose, now has a record-ex- 2016 final Portugal had won tending 14 goals at the Euros France advance in Paris, with re-called Karim overall and five at this tourna- Benzema also scoring twice for ment.