Sport SATURDAY 10 APRIL 2021 CahillCahil joins Aspire Academy as Chief Sports Officer I’m excited and honoured to join Aspire, one of the world’s lleadingead sports academies. I’ve been visiting Aspire since my playingplay days with Everton and the Socceroos and have been cconstantlyons impressed by its world-class innovation and ccompetitiveness.om Tim Cahill Former Australian football star Sport | 15 INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: MATCH 1 RCB 160/8 (De Villiers 48, Bumrah 2/26) beat MI 159/9 (Lynn 49, Harshal Patel 5/27) by 2 wickets Champions Al Sadd wrap up dominant QSL campaign with rout of Qatar SC FAWAD HUSSAIN Al Sadd's players celebrate after defeating Qatar SC yesterday to complete an THE PENINSULA unbeaten season in the QNB Stars League. Champions Al Sadd concluded their QNB Stars League (QSL) campaign with a 3-0 victory over Qatar SC, wrapping up one of the most dominant perform- ances ever in history of Qatar’s premier league event. ‘The Wolves’ lifted the Falcon Shield after securing the title in the 18th round and their target from there on was to finish the league without con- ceding a defeat. The Xavi Her- nandez-coached side achieved the task in style at their home turf under lights, handing Qatar SC (32 points) their eighth defeat. After Khaled Mahmoudi’s own goal in the third minute, Rodrigo Tabata’s spot kick in the 39th minute and Yusuf Abdurisag fabulous hit in the 76th minute sealed victory for Al Sadd. Al Sadd finished with 60 points from 19 wins and three finished QSL as top scorer with goal by Mahmoudi, who was season strongly thrashing Al Al Duhail's Dudu draws, scoring a whopping 77 21 goals. trying to block a cross by Ahli 4-0 at their own backyard, (right) in action goals from 22 matches, while “It was another outstanding Hassan. in other Round 22 tie yesterday. conceding only 14 goals. Al Sadd performance from Al Sadd to Al Sadd made several dan- yesterday. striker Baghdad Bounedjah end the QSL with a victory,” gerous attacks but Qatar SC Al Duhail stars Dudu (35th Xavi said after the win. goalkeeper Jassim Adel made and 89th minutes) and Michael “I am very happy that we some good saves, warding off Olunga (54th and 83rd minutes) managed to finish the QSL dangerous attempts by Ali led ‘The Red Knights' to victory without losing. I want to thank Asadalla and Abdurisag. by scoring a brace each. the management, all players, ‘The Wolves’, however, Al Duhail finished their coaches, supports staff and par- doubled the lead when a campaign with 47 points with ticularly our fans. It was a col- racing Hashim Ali was fouled 15 wins and two draws. lective effort,” Xavi added. by Qatar SC captain Mohamed In yesterday’s last match, ROUND 22 “We are now looking Salim inside the box, with substitute Said Mohamed YESTERDAY'S RESULTS forward to a good performance referee instantly handing a Brahmi Al Khor scored a penalty Al Sadd 3-0 Qatar SC in the AFC Champions League, penalty. in 76th minute as Al Khor Al Duhail 4-0 Al Ahli which will be a tough Tabata struck a goal com- earned a 1-1 draw against Al Al Rayyan vs Al Khor challenge.” fortably with a hit in centre by Rayyan at Al Sadd Stadium. TODAY'S FIXTURES With Xavi starting without deceiving goalkeeper Adel. Franck Kom handed Al 6:15pm: Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya at captain Hassan Al Haydos and Al Sadd returned in the Rayyan lead in the 44th minute Qatar SC Stadium Bounedjah, Abdelkarim Hassan second half to score their third by scoring from a header. 8:30pm: Umm Salal vs Al Gharafa and Tabata led their strong start goal with Abdurisag – set up by Al Rayyan finished third at Qatar SC Stadium against Qatar SC. Asadalla – putting the ball in. with 35 points from 10 wins and 8:30pm: Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Wakrah The duo combined for the Meanwhile, runners-up Al five draws, while Al Khor ended at Al Sadd Stadium attack that resulted in an own Duhail also finished the QSL their campaign with 17 points. Rai secures Italian Al Gharafa target top-four finish media rights for CHINTHANA WASALA conference held yesterday. “Some teams are THE PENINSULA Jokanovic’s men have playing to be in the top won nine matches and suf- four. Umm Salal have Qatar 2022 All eyes will be on Al Gharafa when fered as many defeats while ensured survival and this FIFA – ZURICH they take on Umm Salal today as they managed to share means that we must give Slavisa Jokanovic-coached team will points on three occasions. everything we have in Following the tender process for the give it one last shot at securing a place “This match will order to prove ourselves Italian media rights to the FIFA World among the top four teams in the QNB determine our position in the and achieve a good result. Cup 2022, FIFA has awarded the Stars League (QSL). ranking table and Umm That will benefit the team,” exclusive rights to the competition to The match kicks off at 8:30pm at Salal, who achieved their he said. Rai, the Italian national public service Qatar SC Stadium. goal of staying in the league “Umm Salal are broadcaster. Al Gharafa who have 30 points with their result in the pre- waiting for a strong match Rai has been awarded multi-platform against their name, are currently vious match. They are an with Al Gharafa and I am rights across television, digital and radio. Al Gharafa coach Umm Salal coach placed sixth in the QSL standings. A organised and strong team. waiting for the reaction of In addition to making all 64 matches Slavisa Jokanovic Aziz Ben Askar win today will take them past Al Ahli They are a team who do not the players in order to available live in the territory, Rai will who are occupying the fourth spot score many goals and in achieve a satisfactory also offer extensive support with 33 points (and a goal difference return do not concede many goals Second Division runners-up in order result, with which to conclude the programming, including highlights and of +3), but with a poor goal difference either. to retain their place in the top flight. season positively, having witnessed magazine programming. (-10), following a 3-0 defeat in the “The match will not be easy They have recorded five victories, difficult moments during the league At least 28 matches of the tour- hands of champions Al Sadd because they seek to end the season six draws and 10 defeats. They scored campaign. nament, including the opening match, yesterday. in the best position and with a win. 12 goals and conceded 26 to have a “We are a professional team, we final and both semi-finals, will be shown The Cheetahs did not enjoy a great We have to focus on winning to end goal difference of -14. always play to win. And as I said to the on the broadcaster’s flagship channel, run in their recent matches, as they the league in a positive way,” A positive result in today’s match players, if we want to win we have to Rai 1, meeting FIFA’s objectives of pro- suffered consecutive losses in the Jokanovic, who is eager to secure back will increase hopes of Ben Asker’s men have the will. The spirit and mentality viding large exposure for its hands of Al Wakrah (0-2), Al Sadd to back spots in the QSL top four, said. to end the season in ninth position, of the players are the most important competitions. (0-2) and Al Ahli (1-3) in their last three Umm Salal are placed 10th with subject to the outcome of the match things for me and we must not forget The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will QSL before going down 0-1 to Uzbek 21 points, but their position in the between Al Kharaitiyat and Al Wakrah. this season. Hard and we will give our be the 22nd edition of the competition, side FC AGMK in the AFC Champions standings clearly does not show their “It is an important chance to best in this game,” the Moroccan tac- and it will be particularly unique as the League play-offs at home on strength. improve our position in the ranking tician said. first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East Wednesday. Umm Salal are on a high after table after we guaranteed our stay in Umm Salal and Al Gharafa had and the first to take place in November/ “We must be physically ready to recording back-to-back wins (3-2 the QSL for the next season. Our prep- played out a 1-1 draw in their previous December. face Umm Salal in our last league over Al Rayyan in Week 20 and 1-0 arations were normal and we must meeting earlier in the season. With ultra-modern venues, optimal match, especially since it comes after against Al Sailiya in Week 21). not forget the difficult moments that In other matches today, Al Arabi playing conditions and a compact event our AFC Champions League match Their Round 21 win over Al Sailiya we went through this season. For this face Al Sailiya at the Qatar SC Stadium footprint, Qatar nation will provide a against Uzbekistan club FC AGMK, also ensured that Umm Salal, coached reason, we must respect ourselves and (6:15pm) before Al Kharaitiyat take on unique platform to celebrate the game which went into extra time,” coach by Moroccan Aziz Ben Askar, will not respect everyone,” Ben Askar said Al Wakrah at Al Sadd Stadium (8:30) and its ability to connect and inspire Jokanovic told media during a press have to play relegation play-off with yesterday.