Sports Friday, September 11, 2020 11 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAMS START ARRIVING IN DOHA The AFC Champions League (West region) teams began arriving in Doha from Thursday morning in preparation for the competition’s resumption. The first to arrive at Hamad International Airport on Thursday was the Esteghlal FC of Iran. A biosecure bubble has been put in place for the resumption of matches in Qatar, similar to one implemented for the UEFA Champions League. A total of twenty matches will be played from September 14 to October 3 involving 16 teams from four groups (Group A, B, C and D) of the AFC west region including two quarter-finals, and one semi-final match. The matches will be played at Khalifa International Stadium, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, and the Education City Stadium. This is my home, says Al Sadd’s Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani elected Al Arabi SC president Haydos after extending contract QNA DOHA TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA HE Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani officially won the presi- HASSAN Al Haydos has ex- dency of Al Arabi Sports Club tended his contract with Al during the ordinary general as- Sadd SC till 2025, with the sembly meeting of the club held Qatar international saying he on Wednesday evening. is determined to be part of a The general assembly “wonderful project”. also elected Mohammed bin Jassim Al Kuwait as vice president for the (2020-24) term. It recommended the list of HE Sheikh Tamim Al Sadd are going through a bin Fahd Al Thani for being more than wonderful period. the only list that entered the Leadership is a responsibil- election race, following the HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, former president of Al Arabi ity. Al Sadd players are like withdrawal of Ahmed Hilal SC, congratulated HE Sheikh Tamim bin Fahd Al Thani on winning the my brothers. Our goal is Al Khulaifi’s list. club’s elections, wishing him “All support and success” on his tenure The meeting was attended with the club. one, as a family, which is to by a large number of mem- keep Al Sadd always at the bers, who declared their sup- HE Sheikh Tamim ex- that will be carried out within a top. Our ambition is huge port for the new president in pressed pleasure for obtaining week, as well as support and in- and our goal is to compete order to achieve the hopes and the confidence of the general as- vestments to enhance the capa- for all titles. aspirations of Al Arabi Club. sembly, referring to a work plan bilities of the club. – Hassan Al Haydos Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos with coach Xavi Hernandez after extending his contract with the 14-time Qatar Stars League champions until 2025. Al Sadd, who will head into next week’s AFC Cham- pions League, are top of Group D with four points from two matches. They take on UAE’s Al Ain FC at the Having only played for Al Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday (September 15). Al Duhail announce squad Sadd since his professional debut in 2007, Al Haydos, 29, The 14-time Qatar Stars matches. They take on UAE’s Al “Leadership is a responsi- said he had no reservations League champions have begun Ain FC at the Jassim Bin Ham- bility. The Al Sadd players are about extending his contract. the new season strongly with 5-1 ad Stadium on Tuesday (Sep- like my brothers, and we have “I thank the club for trust- wins over Al Kharaitiyat and Al tember 15) with Al Haydos de- been playing together for a ing me and renewing my con- Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League termined for continental glory. long time. Our goal is one, as tract until 2025. I am very and will head into next week’s “Al Sadd are going through a family, which is to keep Al happy here,” said Al Haydos. 2020 AFC Champions League a more than wonderful period; Sadd always at the top. “This is my home, and there’s brimming with confidence. the start of the league has been “Our ambition is huge no need for any contract be- Al Sadd are top of Group perfect after the victories over and our goal is to compete tween me and the club.” D with four points from two Al Kharaitiyat and Al Sailiya. for all titles.” AFC Cup put off due to virus Ooredoo Cup final to be AFP said it would take place on KUALA LUMPUR December 5. played on October 10th East Zone group matches, ASIa’s football body on originally scheduled from TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Thursday cancelled this year’s mid-October to early Novem- DOHA AFC Cup because of the coro- ber, will now be played from navirus pandemic – and also November 15 to December 13. THE Qatar Stars League an- announced further delays Officials had already an- nounced the date of 2019- to Champions League nounced that West Zone 20 season Ooredoo Cup fi- matches in what it said group games will be in nal, which will pit Al Arabi were “tough times” for the Qatar this month, while against Al Sadd. sport. matches in two of the The match will be played Officials East Asia groups at the Al Duhail Stadium on also said some will be played in 10th October. The kick-off is matches in the Malaysia. at 6pm. Champions Other venues The date was finalised League – the are yet to be an- in agreement with the two region’s show- nounced. teams and their coaches, and piece tournament, The AFC Fut- also taking into considera- which resumes next sal Championship tion Al Sadd’s participation week in Qatar – for the has been pushed back by a in the 2020 AFC Champions Wakrah, Qatar SC; East Zone would be fur- month to December, while League. Group B: Al Rayyan, Al ther delayed. the AFC Solidarity Cup and The Qatar Stars League Kharaitiyat, Al Gharafa, The single-leg final will AFC Futsal Club Champion- also held the 2020-21 season Umm Salal, Al Arabi, Al Ahli. now take place on Decem- ship UAE 2020 have been Ooredoo Cup draw, where The participation of ber 19. Officials previously cancelled. 12 teams have been divided Al Sadd and Al Duhail in into two groups as follows: the 2020 AFC Champions Group A: Al Duhail, Al League was also taken into The AFC Cup trophy. Sadd, Al Sailiya, Al Khor, Al consideration..