14 Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Sports Liverpool were warned Al Rayyan, Sailiya to battle over possible winter break clash: FA Iranian clubs in ACL playoff AFP LONDON Al Rayyan take LIVERPOOL were warned about the possibility of an FA on two-time Cup fourth-round replay during the mid-season break, the Foot- champions ball Association has said. Manager Jurgen Klopp Esteghlal while said neither he nor his first- team stars would be present Al Sailiya host for their replay at home to Shrewsbury, which is set to Shahr Khodro take place during the first week of the scheduled break. AYENI OLUSEGUN However, the FA, which DOHA acknowledged the importance of a rest for the players, said BACK-TO-BACK domestic clubs were all aware such a defeats isn’t the best way situation could arise. to prepare for a continen- Al Sailiya train ahead of their ACL playoff against Iranian side Shahr “Prior to start of the 2019- tal challenge, but Al Rayyan Khodro at the Al Duhail Stadium. 20 season, all clubs accepted will have to shore up their that Emirates FA Cup fourth- defensive frailty against Es- est club, which has been under round replays, where required, teghlal in the AFC Champions the tutelage of Tunisian Sami would have to take place during League Playoff on Tuesday at Trabelsi for almost seven years, the first week of the mid-season the Al Sadd Stadium. This is a very important have seen their reputation grow player break,” the governing Qatar’s Al Sailiya will also game for us and I trust my in Doha as one of the more sta- body said in a statement. make their Champions League players enoguh to get a win. ble clubs in the country. “This will only affect a small debut when they host another This is a new challenge for However, playing a com- number of clubs due to the split Iranian side Shahr Khodro. us this season and we want petition like the ACL, Trabelsi of Premier League fixtures in The Peregrines are also on knows the challenge will be an the mid-season player break.” a poor run of form after two to win and will give our best. eye-opener for his team. Klopp said after his side’s straight loses in the league. – Al Rayyan coach “Al Sailiya is participating 2-2 draw at Shrewsbury on For Al Rayyan though, a Diego Aguirre for the first time as everyone Sunday that he would “respect” 10th ACL campaign is on the knows. The experience factor the break and that under-23s cards, however, The Lions will is required in such matches boss Neil Critchley would take not just hope to qualify but to go Al Rayyan players during a training session on Monday ahead of their AFC Asian Champions League an SC well and I have to say and if we qualify for the group charge of a youthful side for the beyond the group stage – which playoff match against Esteghlal of Iran in Doha. they are an organized team but stage, it is sure that the techni- replay, which is currently sched- they have never managed to do we also are Esteghlal, we have cal conditions will be different uled for February 4, subject to a in the last nine campaigns. Doha ending 2-2 and the Ira- “We prepare like any other ness due to the fixture conges- won the titles two times,” he in the games,” Trabelsi said of timing change for television. “This is a very important nians winning 2-0 in Tehran match sometimes we lose and tion and travel difficulty. added. the clash against Shahr Khodro If that date is confirmed, it game for us and I trust my to advance at Al Rayyan’s ex- sometimes we win but for me, “There is no direct flight The winner will join Group at the Al Duhail Stadium on would mean the Premier League players enoguh to get a win. pense. it is a game where we get to from the UAE to Qatar and I A alongside Iraq’s Al Shorta, Tuesday. leaders’ winter break would This is a new challenge for us Esteghlal’s attacking prow- show our level. I’m sure we’ll be am really surprised why the Al Wahda of the United Arab “Al Sailiya may be the dark amount to 10 football-free days, this season and we want to ess led them to a comfortable able to play our best football on AFC doesn’t know this. Our Emirates and another qualifier. horse but we play as a group the gap between February 4 and win and will give our best,” Al 3-0 win over Kuwait SC in the both ends of the field. We are players had two flights in less which is the well-known iden- their home match against Nor- Rayyan coach Diego Aguirre Preliminary Round 2. With focused on the game because than 24 hours, however I be- Al Sailiya hope to make tity of the team.” wich on February 15. “Premier said ahead of the match. top man Cheick Diabate in fine we know how important it is,” lieve that they can overcome telling debut The winner will join reign- League asked us to respect the The Lions, currently sec- form, Al Rayyan defenders will Aguirre added. the obstacles,” Majidi said. A top three-finish last sea- ing champions Al Hilal, United winter break. That’s what we ond in the QNB Stars League, have their hands full especially Esteghlal coach Farhad “We know that Qatari clubs son ensured Al Sailiya will at Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli do. If the FA doesn’t respect last faced Esteghlal in the 2018 having conceded eight goals in Majidi on the other hand, is have progressed in the recent least get a playoff match in the and Pakhtakor FC of Uzbeki- that, then we cannot change group stage – with the game in their last two matches. worried about his player’s fit- years. We’ve analyzed Al Rayy- Champions League. The mod- stan in Group B. it. We will not be there.” FIFA Technical Experts’ Real go top with narrow win at Valladolid Workshop begins in Doha DPA Record signing Joao Felix BARCELONA toiled to little effect as the hosts QNA oping the technical expertise failed to create chances in a dull DOHA in the region and the world, REAL Madrid capitalised on Madrid derby. and affirms that Qatar has be- Barcelona’s defeat by Valencia Angel Correa volleyed over FIFA Technical Experts’ come an important sporting to move three points clear at for Atletico while Recio narrow- Workshop kicked off in Doha hub in the world of football, the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win ly missed at the other end. Monday with the participation noting Qatar’s organisation over Real Valladolid. Drama came at the end of 100 experts and coaches of several major sports events Zinedine Zidane’s side when Leganes goalkeeper Cuel- from the various national fed- and workshop, and most im- had Casemiro’s header disal- lar was dismissed after an alter- erations under the umbrella of portantly its preparation to lowed for offside in the first cation with a ball boy, deemed the FIFA. host the biggest event in the half and failed to create many as time wasting by referee The workshop was mod- world of football in 2022. clear chances until Nacho Mateo Lahoz. erated by FIFA Technical For his part, FIFA Techni- nodded in Toni Kroos’s cross Defender Jonathan Silva Director Steven Martens, cal Director Steven Martens after 78 minutes. ended the match in goal for and was attended by French extended thanks to Qatar Earlier, Atletico Madrid Real Madrid’s Leganes but Atletico could not coaching legend Arsene Football Association for the were held to a frustrating 0-0 Nacho Fernandez take advantage. Wenger, German coach Erich distinguished organization, draw by 19th-placed Leganes as runs to celebrate “The fans are critical when Rutemoller, American coach the media attention and the their difficult campaign in front his goal with the team doesn’t win. And it’s April Heinrichs and English logistic support which has of goal continued. coach Zinedine for me to find solutions to that,” coach Steve McClaren. been provided in order to The visitors at the Wanda Zidane on Sunday. said Simeone. “I can’t say any- Addressing the opening achieve an ideal success for Metropolitano finished the (AFP) thing to the people, all I can do is session, Secretary-General of FIFA workshops. game with 10 men after goal- prove (things) to them through Qatar Football Association Doha hosted the first FIFA keeper Pichu Cuellar was given actions, not words. Words Mansoor al Ansari expressed Technical Experts’ Workshop a second yellow card for time Madrid’s narrow win. points and as leaders.” and sit fifth on 36 points, 10 mean nothing.” pleasure for hosting the event in January 2018, as part of wasting at the death. “They were an opponent Nacho’s goal was one of the behind leaders and city rivals Getafe climbed above Atleti- for the second consecutive four seminars that FIFA chose Madrid have 46 points from who it was going to be hard to few opportunities in a dull clash, Real Madrid. After a midweek co to move fourth with a 1-0 win year, bringing together experts to hold in Qatar. 21 matches, followed by Barce- play against, they close up well and Valladolid striker Sergi elimination in the Copa del Rey over Real Betis, thanks to Angel from around the world.