Nadal saves match QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune point on way to QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune clinching Barcelona Open title paGE 14 MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 Local legends look forward to first FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar Draw to take place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA QATAR will host the FIFA Arab Cup later this year, with the draw for the tournament taking place at Katara Opera House on Tuesday at 21:00hrs Doha time. Twenty-three national Khalid Salman, who famously scored a hat-trick for Qatar against teams will compete for the Wael Gomaa, regarded as one of Africa’s best defenders of all time. Brazil at the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship. Mubarak Mustafa, former captain Qatar national team. trophy, with matches set to be played at six FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venues. THE TOURNAMENT IS REGARDED AS A FINAL The tournament is regard- REHEARSAL FOR THE FIRST WORLD CUP IN ed as a final rehearsal for the first WorldCup in the Middle THE MIDDLE EAST AND ARAB WORLD, WHICH East and Arab world, which WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 21 NOVEMBER will take place from 21 Novem- ber to 18 December 2022. TO 18 DECEMBER 2022. Ahead of the draw, qa- tar2022.qa caught up with a and will come into the tourna- Cup as a platform to showcase number of Qatar Legacy Am- ment wanting to make a state- some of the region’s talent to bassadors to discuss the tour- ment prior to the World Cup, the rest of the world. nament and its significance I am certain that the Qatari “I’m certain that Arab ahead of the World Cup. team will prove to be a difficult teams will have their say at Wael Gomaa, regarded as opponent,” said Khamis. the World Cup. In the past, one of Africa’s best defend- Despite the popularity of one could see the anxiety that ers of all time, said: “Firstly, the game in the Arab region, Arab teams felt when facing the Arab Cup will provide the the 23 participating countries football giants like Argentina Qatar 2022 organisers with an Ibrahim Khalfan, Qatari football legend. Adel Khamis, the first Qatari player to play abroad. have largely failed to qualify and Brazil. More recently, this important final test of stadi- past the second round at the has changed. Teams from the ums and all the related infra- Cup, in that the tournament ing tournament and one that “The Qatar national team Arab Cup™ as the champions FIFA World Cup, with Mo- region are now playing with structure that will play a key will unite fans and teams from shows teams from the Arab re- is in the midst of what will be of Asia after lifting the conti- rocco being the first country to much more confidence. This is role in hosting a successful across the Arab region, some- gion in the best possible light,” a very formative few months nental title in 2019 following make it out of the group stage as a result of many Arab play- World Cup. thing that no other football said Salman. in its preparations. Playing in an unbeaten run to the tro- at Mexico 86. Since then, only ers plying their craft in top Eu- “Secondly, Arab teams competition has been able to “And to play the tourna- the European qualifiers, along phy, which included victories Saudi Arabia and Algeria have ropean leagues,” said Mustafa. from Africa can use the tour- do at this scale in the recent ment at World Cup stadiums with their debut in the Gold against Saudi Arabia, Iraq, made it to the second round, “The Arab Cup, therefore nament as a welcome oppor- past.” while benefiting from World Cup, will provide key experi- Korea Republic and Japan. in 1994 and 2014 respectively. will be a celebration of this tunity to test their squads for Khalid Salman, who fa- Cup infrastructure, including ences for their growth as a Adel Khamis, the first Qa- Mubarak Mustafa, how- new, exciting style of play, and the African Cup of Nations set mously scored a hat-trick the transport network, train- squad,” said Khalfan. tari player to play abroad when ever, sees that the quality of will give the world an idea of to take place in early 2022, for Qatar against Brazil at ing sites and top-class accom- “The Arab Cup will provide he was signed by a Kuwaiti Arab teams has been gradu- what teams from the region whereas those Asian coun- the 1981 FIFA World Youth modation, will make it even yet another important expe- club in the late Nineties, be- ally improving in recent years, are capable of achieving on the tries which end up qualifying Championship, believes the more special.” rience before the World Cup lieves entering the tournament pointing to the fact that four world stage,” he added. for the World Cup can use Arab Cup will provide some For Ibrahim Khalfan, an- and comes as part of a com- as continental champions will teams from the region quali- The FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ the tournament to prepare highly anticipated clashes. other Qatari football legend, prehensive plan put in place give the players a boost. fied for the 2018 FIFA World draw will be held at 21:00 Doha themselves for the big stage,” “We will have current and the FIFA Arab Cup will be by the Qatar Football Asso- “Although many of the Cup in Russia. time on Tuesday, 27 April. The Gomaa added. former continental champions the culmination of an impor- ciation to prepare our team for participating nations in the In turn, the former captain draw will be streamed live on “Thirdly, there are the so- mixing it up with up-and-com- tant year for the next World the big stage.” Arab Cup will boast players of the Qatar national team is @roadto2022 and @road- cial implications of the Arab ing teams – it will be an excit- Cup hosts. Qatar will enter the FIFA from the world’s best clubs, looking forward to the Arab to2022en. Lamouchi praises Al Duhail Race for top spot: Al Sadd players’ efforts after ‘crazy’ 2-2 draw with Esteghlal ready for Foolad challenge AFC League champions defeated AFC RIYADH Al Wehdat 3-1 and 2-0 to pull JEDDAH themselves back into con- AL Sadd SC and Foolad tention but face a tough test AL Duhail SC head coach Sabri Khouzestan FC will face off in against Foolad. Lamouchi labeled his side’s a vital Matchday Five clash at The Doha-based club have 2021 AFC Champions League the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Sta- made it past the group stage Group C draw with Esteghlal dium at 9pm on Monday, with in their past six appearances FC on Saturday as “yet another defeat not an option for either in the tournament, and head crazy match.” side in the race to win top spot coach Xavi will demand their In a thoroughly entertain- in Group D of the 2021 AFC best against Foolad, with Al ing encounter, Kenyan forward Champions League. Nassr to come on the final Michael Olunga’s brace for Al Back-to-back wins for Al Matchday. Duhail was cancelled out by Sadd against Jordan’s Al Weh- “It will be another tough Cheick Diabate and Mehdi dat saw the Qataris jump up to game again with Foolad, be- Ghaedi of the Islamic Repub- second place in Group D with Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez speaks to the media ahead of the AFC cause we’ve already faced lic of Iran side as the draw fol- seven points, one adrift of lead- Champions League match against Foolad Khouzestan. them,” said Xavi. “We suffered lowed the Qatari team’s excit- ers Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia. in the first match of the com- ing 4-3 win on Matchday Three. Islamic Republic of Iran’s to reproduce Matchday One things difficult for them. petition. They’re a good team, The result meant Al Duhail Foolad are third on five points form when they face Al Sadd “We have shown that we well organised and aggressive remain unbeaten after four and need to win their final two again to ensure they remain are not less than other teams in defence. They know how to games, topping Group C with matches to stand a chance of within sight of the making the in the group, and we can com- take advantage of set-pieces, eight points, while Esteghlal Al Duhail were held to a 2-2 draw by Esteghlal FC late on Saturday. advancing. Round of 16 for the first time pete, I am proud of my play- so it will be difficult. continue to chase with seven Foolad’s return to the AFC since 2014. ers, although they need more “We are ready to compete, points to their name, level with going to get the three points. group. Al Ahli managed to re- Champions League began “Tomorrow’s match is very experience at this level. and from my point of view, Al Ahli Saudi FC. Matchday However, we made mistakes duce the deficit so we should against Al Sadd and the Irani- important, and it will be deci- “We are playing for our this will be like the final, be- Five sees Al Duhail facing Iraq’s and this happens in football.” see interesting matches in the ans were seconds away from a sive for both teams, and will be club and our fans, and all the cause if we have the three Al Shorta while Esteghlal clash “The players were tired last two rounds.” memorable win, only to con- like the final for us,” said Javi- fans in Iran, we will concen- points, we will be really close with Al Ahli on Tuesday.