Syria edges out team Qatar in AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Riyadh – Qatar’s U-23 national team suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat to Syria in their second Group B match of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, played Saturday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The group also features Japan and the United Arab Emirates.The decisive moment came late in the match, when Syria captain Mahmoud Al-Aswad converted a penalty in the 85th minute. Just two minutes earlier, Qatar were reduced to ten men after Ayoub Al-Alawi received a red card following a VAR review.With this result, Qatar remain without points after two consecutive losses, while Syria collected their first three points to sit third in the group. The UAE occupy second place on the same points, with a superior goal difference, while Japan lead the standings with six points.Qatar had opened their campaign with a 2–0 defeat to the UAE and will now face group leaders Japan on Tuesday in the third and final round. On the same day, Syria will meet the UAE in the other Group B encounter.The match began in a balanced manner, with Qatar gradually asserting control through possession and territorial dominance. However, Syria’s disciplined defensive organization limited clear chances during the opening ten minutes.In the 13th minute, Qatar came close to breaking the deadlock from a set piece on the edge of the penalty area, but Abdulaziz Mohammed’s direct effort was blocked by the Syrian defense. Chances followed at both ends, including a crucial defensive intervention by Ayoub Al-Alawi in the 22nd minute to deny a dangerous Syrian move.Qatar continued to probe, with Nabil Irfan delivering a cross in the 26th minute that flashed across the face of goal, while a corner kick in the 30th minute was safely claimed by the Syrian goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Mohammed Khaled nearly broke through on goal after an impressive run from midfield, only to be fouled by Abdulrahman Al-Arja, who received a yellow card.Despite several promising moments, neither side managed to convert their opportunities, and the first half ended goalless.The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams sharing possession and producing few clear-cut chances. Qatar threatened in the 70th minute through a well-worked move involving Mohammed Khaled and Rashed Abdulaziz, but the Syrian defense once again stood firm.Syria responded with a swift counterattack in the 75th minute, when Mohammed Al-Mustafa broke free but fired his shot narrowly wide of the left post.The turning point arrived in the 83rd minute, as VAR intervention awarded Syria a penalty and resulted in a red card for Ayoub Al-Alawi for a foul on Al-Mustafa. Mahmoud Al-Aswad calmly dispatched the spot kick two minutes later to give Syria the lead.Qatar pushed hard for an equalizer in the closing stages, coming agonizingly close in the 87th minute when Mustafa Al-Sayed’s powerful header from a cross drifted just wide of the right post. However, the numerical disadvantage and Syria’s deep defensive block prevented Al-Annabi from finding a way back.The match ended 1–0 in Syria’s favor, sealing a hard-fought victory and leaving Qatar with everything to play for in their final group match. 

QOC President crowns winners of second tour of HH the Father Amir Prix

Doha: HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha Equestrian Tour Organising Committee, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, crowned the winners of the first three places of the second tour of HH the Father Amir Prix, which concluded Saturday at the indoor and outdoor Longines arenas at Al Shaqab.Scott Brash produced a masterclass performance to clinch the CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix.Nine horse-and-rider combinations progressed to the jump-off, where Brash guided the BWP gelding Hello Jefferson to victory. The British rider stopped the clock at 42.66 seconds to seal the title and collect €97,500.Brash finished just ahead of France’s Megane Moissonnier, who clocked 42.78 seconds aboard the 14-year-old stallion Crooner Tame to claim second place and €65,000. American rider Eve Jobs completed the podium, piloting the 15-year-old Canto Bruno to third in 43.41 seconds, earning €48,750.All five riders in the top group delivered faultless rounds in the jump-off. Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj narrowly missed out on a podium finish in fourth aboard Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke, while Monaco’s Anastasia Nielsen rounded out the top five with ESI Rocky.“Hello Jefferson is an incredible horse,” Brash said. “He’s 17 now, but he still feels like a young horse. He loves his job, and he’s always jumped well here in Doha in the main arena.”Brash had earlier enjoyed success in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix, guiding Hello Chadora Lady to victory following a seven-horse jump-off. He edged out Belgium’s Abdel Said on Wathnan Calvaro to take home €31,800. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann finished third with Iron Dames High Level.Meanwhile, Britain’s Harry Charles claimed the CSI5* 1.50m Special Two-Phase class aboard Bandit. The pair produced a faultless round and stopped the clock at 35.10 seconds to secure top honours.Fellow Briton Millie Allen followed closely in second place on Quick Diamant HR with another double-clear effort in 35.41, while Italy’s Roberto Previtali completed the podium on I’M Special Mess PS in 36.16.Charles said: “Bandit is back at five-star level after nearly a year away, so starting with a win is fantastic. He has plenty more in the tank, and as the tour progresses, I hope to build him up to the bigger classes here in Doha.”At the end of Tour 2, Brash has moved into the overall lead in the CSI4* and CSI5* provisional rankings with 89 points. Karunayadhaj sits second on 66 points, while Jobs has climbed to third on 62. Harry Charles and Anastasia Nielsen are tied on 59, with Moissonnier close behind on 55.Qatari riders dominated the CSI1* Grand Prix 1.30m jump-off, with Hussain Said Haidan clinching top honours after producing a double-clear round aboard D Saucedo in 35.79 seconds. He finished ahead of compatriot Saad Ahmed Al Saad, who stopped the clock at 37.10 seconds on Fashion des Douits, while Nasser Al Ghazali completed an all-Qatari podium with a faultless round on Dexter in 37.11.Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano claimed victory in the CSI3* 1.40m accumulator, guiding Diarouge Blue PS to a winning score of 65 in 46.13 seconds. Turkiye’s Hasan Senturk settled for second on Elzas, also finishing on 65 but in a slightly slower time of 46.79 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Khalid al-Hadi placed third aboard Capoen in 48.34.Gaudiano praised his mount’s consistency in the arena. “Diarouge Blue PS jumped very well today. She has already won three classes here, so I’m happy with how she’s feeling in this arena,” he said.France’s Jean Francois Rondoux topped the CSI3* 1.30m faults and time class after steering Inter-Larus to a clear round in 69.13 seconds. Qatari rider Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi finished second on Mukaynis in 70.71, narrowly edging Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker, who was third aboard Tinto de Nuit Z in 70.72.In the CSI1* 1.15m accumulator, Qatar swept the podium, led by Ali Omar Al Ansari and Nikita Eindeken Z with a winning score of 65 in 43.13 seconds. Abdulla Ahmed Al Khulaifi followed on Quenta van de Corsendonksehoeve, while Abdulla Tamim Al Thani took third aboard Cassandra 352.The CSIY-B and CSIY 1.30m jump-off Group VII series qualifier saw another Qatari success, as Ibrahim Yousuf Al Mahmoud emerged victorious on Vito Blue PS with a double-clear effort in 36.42 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Meshal Al Qahtani placed second on Menke, while Yaqoub Nasser Al Mass finished third for Qatar aboard Hammond J.In the national CSN 1.00m special two-phase class, Iraq’s Mariam Abdulkarim Sabri claimed the top spot on Baina after posting a double-clear round in 35.63 seconds. She was closely followed by Afraa Abdulrahman Al Sulaiti on Molga, with Salman Faisal Al Marri rounding out the podium aboard Goteborg Handyman.In the overall CSI1* standings, Haidan extendd his lead to 40 points after topping both Tour 1 and Tour 2. Saad Ahmed Al Saad is second on 34 points, while Jordan’s Bisher Kayali is third on 19. 

Second Round of HH The Father Amir’s Prix Kicks Off Today

DOHA - The three-day Tour 2 of HH The Father Amir’s Prix begins at Al Shaqab Thursday, as part of the Doha Equestrian Tour 2026 season.The event will welcome more than 240 riders, with overall series prize money exceeding €3.3mn. The Tour 2 marks a significant step up in competition level, with CSI5 classes taking place for the first time, alongside CSI1 and CSI3 categories. Competitions will be staged across three arenas at Al Shaqab, with action scheduled from morning until evening throughout the weekend.Abdullah Al-Qashouti, Director of Marketing and Communications for HH The Father Amir’s Prix, said the organising committee has prepared a comprehensive programme of accompanying activities and entertainment designed for a wide range of audiences, combining sport and fan engagement while reflecting the event’s international character and Qatari hospitality.He noted that Friday is expected to attract particular attention with the introduction of the CSI5 class. He added that a dedicated fan zone will be available to visitors, featuring entertainment facilities, cafes and retail outlets, along with additional activations in the vicinity of the Longines Square, aimed at delivering an elevated spectator experience and reinforcing Al Shaqab’s status as a world-class equestrian destination.Tickets are available via Road to Qatar, with general admission priced at QR50 per day, with free access to children under 12 years old, and hospitality options including VVIP Tent and VIP Lounge packages.Action begins today at the main outdoor arena with four classes from 1.35m to 1.50m. The second outdoor arena hosts CSI3 and CSI1 events, while the indoor arena features CSI1 and a 60cm National Championship.Thursday 's action is highlighted by a CSI5 1.55m jump-off and the first CSI5 Six Bars at 1.50m. Youth and National Championship classes continue indoors. On Saturday, the Grand Prix concludes with CSI5 1.60m and CSI3 1.50m, alongside youth qualifiers and national competitions. 

Board of Directors of the Doha 2030 Asian Games Organising Committee holds its first meeting

Doha: The Board of Directors of the Organising Committee for the 21st Asian Games – Doha 2030 held its first meeting today, chaired by H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee’s Board. The meeting comes as part of the ongoing preparations to host this major continental sporting event in the State of Qatar.During the meeting, H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Member of the Board of Directors of the Organising Committee for the Doha 2030 Asian Games, reviewed the main master plan for the Games and its key pillars, and highlighted the latest updates related to the organisational and preparatory aspects, supporting the integrated preparation process for this major continental sporting event.The Board also appointed Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain as Chief Executive Officer of the Doha 2030 Asian Games Organising Committee. In his new role, he will play a central part in overseeing the executive operations of the Organising Committee and ensuring the effective implementation of approved plans and strategies, in line with the highest organisational standards and the objectives set for delivering this major continental sporting event.The meeting also addressed ways to enhance coordination and integration among relevant stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, with the aim of unifying efforts and ensuring close cooperation to deliver a successful edition of the Games that reflects Qatar’s standing and organisational capabilities in hosting major continental and international sporting events.Discussions further covered several themes related to the sustainable legacy of the Games, optimal utilisation of existing sports infrastructure, and leveraging accumulated national expertise in organising major championships. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of adopting best practices in innovation, sustainability, and governance.The first meeting of the Organising Committee’s Board of Directors marks a key foundational step in the preparations for the Doha 2030 Asian Games, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, and reinforces the country’s leading role and growing influence in the development of sport across the Asian continent. 

Team Qatar Outclass UAE in Friendly Handball Game

Doha – Team Qatar’s national handball team recorded an impressive friendly victory over the UAE, winning 39–26 in the match held today at Duhail Sports Hall. The encounter formed part of Qatar’s preparations for the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, scheduled to take place in Kuwait from January 15 to 26, and serving as a qualifier for the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany.The match marked the second friendly meeting between the two sides. Their first encounter ended in a 21–21 draw, with Qatar fielding a second-string squad. In today’s match, however, the Qatari team competed with its first lineup to assess readiness ahead of the continental.According to the championship draw, Qatar has been placed in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. Group B includes Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan, while Group C features Kuwait, the UAE, Hong Kong, and India. Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, which will feature eight teams divided into two groups playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each main-round group will qualify for the semifinals and secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Championship.Team Qatar aims to defend its Asian title, having won the championship in the past six consecutive editions, and to qualify for the World Championship for the 11th time in its history. The team’s best-ever World Championship finish remains second place at the Qatar 2015 edition.Qatar were crowned champions of the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship, held in Bahrain last year, after defeating Japan 30–24 in the final. 

Team Qatar lose to UAE in AFC U-23 Asian Cup opener

DOHA - United Arab Emirates emerged 2-0 winners against Qatar to get their AFC U-23 Asian Cup campaign off to a fine start Wednesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The result means UAE join Japan as the early pacesetters in Group B with the latter having beaten Syria 5-0 in an earlier match.Qatar spurned the chance to take the lead as early as the third minute when Al-Hashmi Mohialdin’s penalty was saved by Khaled Tawhid.Ali Ghulais was also called into action at the other end, the UAE custodian’s outstretched leg denying Junior Ndiaye after the Montpellier forward had been put through by Ali Al-Memari. Ndiaye’s threat brought about UAE’s opener in the 21st minute when the forward’s strike from outside the box bounced off Ghulais, with the rebound smashed into the bottom corner by al-Memari.A sweeping move in the 37th minute doubled UAE’s lead, Richard Akonnor exchanging passes with al-Memari to glide into space on the left with his cutback then swept home by Ndiaye. Ilidio Vale rang the changes for Qatar for the start of the second half with a triple change, bringing on Moath Taha, Mobark Hamza and Rashid al-Abdulla as the Portuguese tactician looked to find a way back into the game. A couple of long range efforts from Qatar highlighted their improved performance with Anas Abweny and Taha forcing Tawhid to make fine saves.Despite being put under more pressure in the second half, UAE - led by the impressive Leonard Amesimeku in defence - comfortably kept Qatar at arm’s length to claim the points.UAE will next face Japan while Qatar take on Syria with both matches to be played on Saturday.