Qatar Held to 1-1 Draw by Syria in Group Stage

Doha: Qatar were left staring at elimination after being forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Syria in their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Group A tie at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.The stalemate gave the hosts their first point, with Syria joining Palestine on four. Tunisia – who play Qatar on Sunday – also have a single point to their name.A disappointed Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, soon after the game, said, “All I can say is that it’s football. I think our level of play was far better than what it was against Palestine in the opening match.“We were much better today. We did all that you have to do to win a game but it’s football. Very big sorry to all our fans. So sorry for all of them, but today I feel that we did a lot of things to win. We had many chances.“There was a penalty too for us but I can’t understand how they (VAR) change this opinion because it was very clear.“I don’t have any words, but for my players, we have to know to defend till the last minute a bit better, but when they score like that, what you can say. We now have to be ready for the next match.Two-time AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar tested the waters as early as the second minute with Edmilson Junior’s inswinging cross forcing Syria keeper Elias Hadaya to intervene with a punch while at the other end, Meshaal Barsham thwarted Omar Khribin’s pass to Antonio Yakoub.Syria were let off the hook in the 10th minute when Mohamed Manai arrowed his stinging shot just wide of the right post following Akram Afif’corner, before another chance went begging two minutes later with Homam Ahmed seeing his effort drift past a fully stretched Hadaya only for the ball to bounce off the right post.Qatar looked more dangerous with Jassem Gabe testing Hadaya from distance in the 20th minute while at the other end, Mahmoud Al Mawas drove inside the box before laying the ball nicely for Khribin, whose shot was blocked.Edmilson continued to cause problems for Syria, setting up Tarek Salman whose shot hit the side netting.Syria had closed shaves in the second half with Hadaya pulling off a fine save to deny Edmilson in the 51st minute, before Ahmad Faqa was at the right place at the right time to deny Abdulaziz Hatem’s shot from inside the box after Afif’s cutback.Julen Lopetegui’s side, who needed a win after their opening day loss to Palestine, thought they had a lifeline at the hour mark when Zakaria Hannan tripped Homam Ahmed inside the box, only for the referee to wave off the penalty following a VAR review.Syria’s defence was finally breached in the 77th minute when Edmilson delivered a precise cross into the box to Ahmed Alaaeldin, who beat a rooted Hadaya with a glancing header into the top left corner of the net.A lapse in concentration in the 90th minute left Qatar in disbelief with Khribin beating Barsham with a curling effort from distance to salvage a point for Syria and keep them on track for the knockout stage.

Qatar seeks to regain momentum against Syria on Thursday

Doha: Qatar will seek to regain its momentum in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 when it faces Syria tomorrow at Khalifa International Stadium, as part of the second round of Group A matches.Qatar seeks to compensate for its sudden 0-1 loss to Palestine in the opening match of the tournament, whereas Syria will enter the match in high spirits after defeating Tunisia 1-0, collecting three valuable points.Currently, Syria and Palestine sit on top of Group A with three points each, while Qatar and Tunisia are third and fourth without points.Qatar will be required to perform differently in the match in order to win, which will force Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui to find solutions on the front line after the clear inability to show effectiveness in the first match.In the match against Palestine, Qatar lacked effective influence in the offensive aspects, with a scarcity of real opportunities in light of the inability to penetrate the opponent's defense, despite high ball possession.What is required is change and the regaining of momentum Qatar had during the fourth stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which displayed an outstanding level that enabled it to grab qualification for the World Cup at the expense of Oman and the UAE.After the first match, Qatar's coach Lopetegui affirmed his confidence in the players' ability to overcome the defeat, and to perform differently in the second match against Syria, with the aim of winning and correcting course.Meanwhile, Syria hopes to continue to shine in the tournament by achieving a positive result to bring it closer to qualifying for the quarter-finals.Syria, led by Spanish coach Jose Lana, qualified for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 by defeating South Sudan 2-0. This will be their eighth appearance in the tournament's history.For its part, Qatar searches for its first FIFA Arab Cup title in its fourth appearance in the tournament, having been runners-up in 1998, as well as placing third in 2021, when it was held in Doha. 

Palestine shock Qatar in Arab Cup opener after last-gasp own goal

Doha: Two-time Asian champions Qatar were stunned 1-0 by Palestine in their FIFA Arab Cup Group A opener, conceding a last-minute own goal from Sultan Al Brake.In front of 61,475 spectators, mostly Qatari fans creating a cauldron-like atmosphere at Al Bayt Stadium, the home side dominated possession but saw their evening end in heartbreak when Al Brake inadvertently deflected a cross from substitute Ahmad Alqaq into his own net in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time.Palestine were rewarded for their resilience, absorbing Qatar’s pressure for most of the match and applying late pressing. They earned a last-gasp corner, which led to the decisive own goal, leaving goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada with no chance despite an otherwise quiet evening.Qatar created several opportunities, but coach Julen Lopetegui will demand better execution when his side returns to action against Syria on Thursday at Khalifa International Stadium.The hosts started with a fast pace with Ahmed Fathy giving an early scare but he missed the target.   Mohammad Al Mannai brought goalkeeper Rami Hamada into action with a shot from outside the box.  Captain Akram Afif remained in the thick of action creating spaces but Qatar were unable to earn a breakthrough against stubborn Palestine defence.The rhythm dropped due to injuries. Lopetegui was forced an injury change at the half-four mark with Assim Madibo failing to continue following a rash challenge with Issa Laye coming off the bench.Lucas Mendes attempted from outside the box but Hamada was well positioned as ball remained in Palestine’s half the most but stalemate persisted at half-time.  Edmilson Junior replaced Mohammad Al Mannai at half-time, adding energy to Qatar’s attack. Al Brake had an early chance but his close-range touch from Edmilson’s cross went wide. Edmilson looked sharp, pressing high and testing goalkeeper Rami Hamada from close range.Around the 60th minute, Lopetegui made a double substitution, bringing on Mohammed Muntari and Khaled Ali Binsabaa for Ahmed Alaaeldin and Mohamed Khaled.A VAR review ruled out a penalty after Afif appeared to be brought down by Michael Termanini in the box. Afif later made a fine solo run but could not control the ball in the final moments.Palestine threatened on the counter when substitute Oday Dabbagh shot from the right, forcing Qatar to stay alert. Muntari’s header from a precise Edmilson cross was brilliantly tipped over by Hamada as Qatar pressed to break the deadlock.Palestine nearly scored with less than 15 minutes remaining, but Alqaq’s volley went high from a promising position.Palestine intensified their play in the closing stages. In the fifth minute of added time, the drama peaked when Al Brake accidentally deflected the ball into his own net, gifting a memorable victory.Palestine are now level with Syria, who earlier stunned last edition’s runners-up Tunisia 1-0. Palestine will face Tunisia at Lusail Stadium on Thursday. 

Qatar Women’s Team Finish Fourth at GCC 3x3 Basketball Championship

Muscat: The curtain has fallen on the GCC 3x3 Basketball Championship, which was held over two days in the Omani capital and featured high technical levels and intense competition in both the men’s and women’s events.Qatar’s Muna Suleiman emerged as the standout performer in the women’s category, earning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.The Qatar women’s team finished fourth, following a 7–11 loss to Kuwait in the third-place playoff. Earlier, Qatar fell to Saudi Arabia 13–19 in the semifinals, while Bahrain defeated Kuwait 12–10 to advance to the final, where Saudi Arabia claimed the championship after a 20–17 win over Bahrain.Muna Suleiman delivered an exceptional performance throughout the tournament, playing a decisive role in playmaking, leadership, and scoring key points that kept Qatar competitive in several matches. She was strongly supported by teammates Maya Rami Al-Khatib, Naziha Hossam, and Tania Al-Tawil, who helped showcase the strength of Qatar’s women’s basketball on the Gulf stage.Speaking after receiving the MVP award, Muna Suleiman said:“I am very proud of this award and grateful to my teammates and the coaching staff for their continuous support. This recognition motivates me to keep improving and to help the team achieve better results in the future. Our goal now is to raise the level of women’s basketball in Qatar and compete strongly in the upcoming tournaments.”She added:“Despite finishing fourth, we played strong matches and gained valuable experience that will help us develop technically and physically. These lessons will be crucial for our future competitions.”In the men’s competition, Qatar claimed the runner-up position after losing the final to Bahrain 16–20. The team had booked their place in the final by defeating Saudi Arabia 20–16 in the semifinals.Qatar opened its group-stage campaign with victories over Oman (B) (16–12) and Bahrain (17–13).The men’s team—made up of Ahmed Saeed Mohammed, Deyan Janic, Miho Harasic, and Nadim Muslic—delivered impressive performances that strengthened Qatar’s presence in Gulf basketball 

Qatar to face Palestine in opening match of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025

Doha: Team Qatar will begin their quest for Arab Cup glory on Monday against Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium in the opening match of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. Qatar enter the tournament seeking their first Arab Cup title in their fourth appearance, after finishing runners-up in 1998, third in 2021 and fourth on their debut in 1985.The team comes into the competition with high confidence after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by topping their Asian play-off group in Doha ahead of Oman and the UAE.Preparations included a local training camp during the November international window, featuring a friendly match against Zimbabwe. Head coach Julen Lopetegui said the Arab Cup represents a major competitive test and a key stage in the team's World Cup preparations, stressing the importance of a strong opening performance against a well-organized Palestinian side.Qatar will rely on a balanced squad blending experience and youth. The 23-man roster features key players including Akram Afif, Mohammed Muntari, Edmilson Junior and goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.Afif remains the team's main attacking threat after his outstanding display at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, where he won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.Several players will miss the tournament, most notably all-time top scorer Almoez Ali due to injury. Ahmed Al Rawi and Ahmed Al Janahi are also sidelined, while Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel and Karim Boudiaf were left out as part of Lopetegui's squad restructuring.Palestine secured qualification after defeating Libya on penalties following a goalless draw in Doha and will be looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their sixth appearance. The team, coached by Ehab Abu Jazar, conducted a training camp in Spain before assembling in Doha for final preparations.Featuring several players active in the Qatari and Egyptian leagues, Palestine head into the opener determined to challenge the hosts before a large home crowd at Al Bayt Stadium. 

HH The Amir Inaugurates Arab Cup 2025

DOHA - His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor City this evening.The opening ceremony was attended by HH Personal Representative of HH The Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies the sheikhs and ministers.Also attending were several of Their Excellencies the ministers and heads of delegations of the Arab countries, alongside a host of Their Excellencies the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Qatar, as well as presidents of football federations, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and guests of the tournament.