QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Saeed Al Sulaiti QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune wins Qatar Superstock 600 Race 1 of second round PAGE 19 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 Quick read QATar’S STar STRIKer ALmoeZ ALI APPOINTED UNESCO AmbassaDor Lahm says ‘no scenario’ of Germany hosting Euro 2020 BERLIN: German legend Philipp Lahm has backed the delayed Euro 2020 to go ahead in 12 countries this summer despite the coronavirus pandemic saying “it was and remains a good idea,” and that there is no way Germany will step in to host the whole tournament. “If the plans have to be adjusted because of the coro- navirus pandemic, the decision is no longer with (European football governing body) UEFA, rather a level higher: with the politicians,” Lahm told the RedaktionsNet- zwerks Deutschland corporate newsroom on Saturday. “But currently the Euros will still take place in 12 cities.” Lahm, who lifted the World Cup as German captain in 2014, is chief executive of the firm responsible for hosting the 2024 European Champion- ships in Germany. The delayed 2020 edition should open June The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has chosen Qatar’s National football team player Almoez Ali to be Ambassador for the organization from the State of Qatar to support 11 in Rome with the semis and football as a global heritage of humanity. UNESCO chose Almoez Ali for his distinguished performance and great popularity in Qatar, the Gulf, and Asia. The 2019 AFC Asian Cup top-scorer represents a great aspiration final in London a month later. for the young people and the desire to achieve success. The signing ceremony for the appointment of Almoez Ali as Ambassador to UNESCO took place in Doha, in the presence of the French coach Arsene Wenger, Munich will host three Germany who is one of the organization’s Ambassadors, and Princess Rani Vanouska Modely, the Ambassador delegate for the candidacy of football world heritage of humanity. Almoez Ali played a key part in Qatar’s victory group games against France (June in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after scoring nine goals and winning the player of the tournament award. In a Tweet, Al Duhail’s star striker Almoez Ali said, “it was an honor to sign the pledge with HH Princess Rani 15), title holders Portugal (June Vanouska T.Modely @VMODELY to support the candidacy of Football as a world heritage for humanity on UNESCO list. I also believe that football can change the world and I’m proud of joining this global movement as 19) and Hungary (June 23) along an ambassador to represent my country Qatar.” In reply, Princess Rani Vanouska Modely tweeted, “Thank you @Moezali_ for your support. We are proud that you have became an ambassador to represent your country with a July 2 quarter-final. (DPA) #qatar to join this global movement of Football World Heritage to call on UNESCO.” (QNA/TNN) Akram Afif suspended Al Sadd aim to cross Al Arabi for two matches hurdle to be assured of title TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA Today’s Matches 4.45pm: Al Gharafa vs QNB Stars League season Al Duhail (At Suhaim 2020-21 leaders Al Sadd need Bin Hamad Stadium) two more wins to emerge as champions but the Wolves are 7.15pm: Al Sadd vs wary of Al Arabi whom they Al Arabi (At Jassim Bin meet in the Week 17 clash of Hamad Stadium) the league at the Jassim Bin 7.15pm: Al Kharaitiyat Hamad Stadium at 7.15pm vs Al Rayyan (At Suhaim on Monday. Bin Hamad Stadium) Al Sadd currently are at the top with 44 points from 16 matches, Al Duhail are second and to present my best levels with 31 points, while Qatar SC to gain a distinguished posi- and Al Gharafa are third and tion in the squad.” fourth at 27 points followed by TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Al Rayyan at 25 points. We will fight it out: Al DOHA “If we win the next two, Kharaitiyat coach Wesam we will be the champions but Al Kharaitiyat coach We- THE Qatar Football Asso- it will be difficult because they sam Rizik said his side was ciation (QFA) on Sunday an- (Al Arabi) have not suffered any ready for a fight against Al nounced QFA Disciplinary defeat in the last seven rounds,” Rayyan. “We will fight it out Committee’s decision to sus- said Al Sadd coach Xavi Her- till the last minute of the pend Al Sadd player Akram nandez speaking to the media league to collect the maxi- Afif for two matches. He has on eve of the match. mum number of points in also been fined QR30,000 for “Everyone will remember order to get out of the relega- his statements following the that Al Sadd suffered in the tion zone. We are hopeful of Qatar Cup semi-final against 2019-20 season Amir Cup fi- our survival in the top flight Al Rayyan on Friday. nal because Al Arabi defended as we target many points The Qatar Football Asso- well. Plus, they have not con- from the remaining matches,” ciation stated in a tweet on its ceded many goals of late. They said Wesam. official Twitter account that the have improved a lot with the Al Arabi players during a practice session ahead of their QNB Stars League clash against Al Sadd on Monday. two matches are the next match presence of very good players in the QNB League and the final in the defence, such as Marc who is suffering from Corona- Alexanderson said the clash Facing Al Gharafa again a match of the Qatar Cup. Muniesa and Ayoub Azzi. And virus. I had also contracted the against Al Sadd is a good op- new challenge: Lamouchi QFA indicated that the sus- then, they have new players, virus in the summer. This is life portunity for his team to show Ahead of their clash with Al pension and fines came due to like Yousef Mskani, who has and I wish him a speedy recov- their skills. Gharafa, Al Duhail coach Sabri the media statements made by added value to the squad and ery. I will miss him and I wish “We will definitely miss Lamouchi said his team will the player, Akram Afif, based all that will make it difficult for him all success because I respect the presence of coach Hall- have to rise to the challenge. on Articles No. 77/4 and 3-9/1 us,” explained Xavi. him as a coach and as a human grimsson. We have prepared “After our 2021 Qatar Cup of the Discipline Regulations for “We are having good times being,” said Xavi. as usual and this is a good semi-final victory against Al the 2020-2021 sports season. and, God-willing, we can win Meanwhile, Al Sadd player opportunity for the players to Gharafa, our focus has been Article 77/4 of the Disci- the league in the next match Nam Tae-Hee said, “We are show their skills and also to more on the recovery of our pline Regulations for the season if Al Duhail lose against Al close to winning the title and shine and show their love for players and restoring their 2020-2021 stipulates that any Gharafa. Even otherwise, if we want to win this match. We the group and the team. physical readiness in prepara- person may be punished ac- we win the next two matches, will work hard and prepare “We will try to maintain tion for the next match against cording to Article 9 if he makes we will be the champions. Our well for it. It is amazing that the same rhythm as in the Al Gharafa, in which we have public statements that harm focus is now on the Al Arabi nearly 10 years have passed past weeks. Therefore, there to make greater efforts in or- the federation or the manage- match and, as I said, it will since I came to Qatar and this will not be major changes to der to achieve victory. ment of the Qatar Stars League be difficult because the oppo- is the first time that I may be the team, but it will be evident “Our squad could witness or any club or contradict their nents have not suffered any winning all titles in one season, in the absence of the coach, a number of changes, but we interests through the media or defeat in the last seven rounds. thanks to the great collective whom we will certainly miss must take into account the ele- social media. We are playing at our stadium work that everyone does every and we hope he returns quick- ment of harmony and the need Afif’s statement during an and we want to create oppor- day, especially the administra- ly to the team. to maintain balance within the interview with Al-Kass chan- tunities and play well. tive and technical staff. “Playing against Al Sadd group. For me, I will count nel after the Qatar Cup semi- “Now let us see the play- “Of course, we are happy, will not be easy as they have on the best 11 players to play final match against Al Rayyan ers’ condition to determine the but we must remind ourselves outstanding players. They are this match. Facing Al Gharafa sparked great controversy on squad to play, maybe we will that we have not won anything the best in the league and clos- again is a new challenge. social media. do the rotation because some so far and therefore we will est to winning the title, and we “We will play all matches Afif said that “we were play- players participated in a lot of continue to work.