Shahin claims bronze medal in Asian Wrestling Championship

Amman : Qatar’s Shahin Mohammed claimed a bronze medal in the 82kg Greco-Roman category at the Asian Wrestling Championships, currently taking place in Amman, Jordan.The championship features more than 370 male and female athletes from 39 countries.Shahin secured the bronze after a thrilling third-place match against Uzbekistan’s Rasulov, which ended 6-5 in favor of the Qatari wrestler, thanks to a decisive point in the closing seconds of the bout.He had earlier reached the semifinals, where he faced Iran’s Mohammad Nangoni and narrowly missed out on a place in the final. Despite the loss, Shahin showed great resilience and determination to bounce back and deliver a strong performance in the bronze medal match. 

Qatar Fall to Kyrgyzstan in World Cup Qualifiers

Bishkek: Qatar’s national football team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan in their eighth match of the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, held at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.The tournament’s third round features Group A competition, with the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Lucas Mendes scored Qatar’s only goal in the 52nd minute, while Valerii Kichin, Alexander Mischenko, and Alymardon Shukurov netted for Kyrgyzstan in the 45+1, 82nd, and 90+3 minutes respectively.With this result, Qatar remain fourth in the group standings with 10 points, while Kyrgyzstan moved up to fifth with 6 points.The hosts started the match with high intensity, pressing Qatar’s defense early. Kyrgyz forward Arbol Atayev had a strong shot saved by goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham in the second minute.Qatar gradually took control of possession. In the 10th minute, Murad Naji made a deep run down the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross that was intercepted by goalkeeper Erzhan Tokotaev. The pressure continued as Akram Afif set up Edmilson Junior in the 24th minute, but the Kyrgyz defense managed to shut down the chance. Moments later, Almoez Ali fired over the bar from a cross in the 27th.Just before halftime, Kyrgyzstan regained momentum. Atayev struck the crossbar in the 43rd minute, and shortly after, a well-hit free kick from Valerii Kichin gave the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the break.Qatar responded early in the second half, leveling the score in the 52nd minute through Lucas Mendes, who headed home an Akram Afif corner.However, Qatar’s hopes were quickly dealt a blow when Lucas Mendes was sent off in the 55th minute, receiving a red card for a challenge on Atayev. Down to ten men, Qatar struggled to contain Kyrgyzstan’s renewed attacks.In the 82nd minute, Alexander Mischenko fired a long-range effort past Barsham to restore Kyrgyzstan’s lead. In stoppage time, Alymardon Shukurov sealed the result with a solo run and a precise finish to make it 3-1, handing Kyrgyzstan a deserved win.

Qatar to take on Kyrgyzstan in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Bishkek: Coach Luis Garcia seeks another three points when Qatar face Kyrgyzstan for their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday.Last Thursday, Qatar crushed North Korea 5-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.Influential Akram Afif played a captain’s role as the victory took Qatar level on 10 points with the UAE, nine behind leaders Iran and six adrift of Uzbekistan, with only the top two teams to qualify automatically for next year’s global showpiece.The crushing defeat four days ago for North Korea left them rooted at the bottom with two points.“Yes, we are absolutely prepared for match against the Kyrgyz national team,” Coach Luis Garcia began, addressing the press conference, said on Monday.“We are fully focused and our aim is clear: to return with a positive result. We know this is a crucial match for us in the eighth round of the first group competition for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and we are determined to perform at our best,” he added.“We understand the challenge ahead, facing the Kyrgyz team on their home ground with their fans. It won’t be easy, but we have completed our preparations and the players are well aware of the importance of this game. They know what’s at stake in our journey to qualify for the World Cup finals, and the three points are incredibly important to us,” Garcia said.“Our goal as a national team is to showcase the level of Qatari football and to achieve the desired result. This includes improving our chances of reaching the World Cup finals. I can feel the great desire and determination in every player who will take the field tomorrow. They are all eager to achieve success and make our nation proud,” the Qatar coach said.Qatar defender Lucas Mendez also sounded confident.“I have full confidence in the ability of all of my teammate so that we provide the desired level and achieve a result that everyone is looking forward to,” Mendez said on Monday.“We are going to enter the match with the goal of winning and collecting three points that will enhance the national team’s chances of reaching the World Cup finals,” he added. “The Kyrgyz national team will be a tough opponent for sure. All of my teammates understand the importance of the match, and they have full knowledge of the rival team that has previously met with the Qatari national team at this stage of the qualifiers in Doha,” Mendez said.Mendez confirmed that the goal for them is to achieve a positive result to please the Qatari fans, adding that all members of the team have the experience and ability to handle such important matches.Kyrgyzstan’s debut at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers has been a valuable learning experience with the Central Asian side holding their own despite only having three points to their name.Kyrgyzstan coach Maxim Lisitsyn said his team faces a tough challenge but he is confident in the Kyrgyzstan players’ abilities.He added that his team will seek to make up for the previous 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan, noting that the reason for the loss was due to lack of experience, while the numerical disadvantage of completing the match with ten players also had an impact on their result.Sitting seven points behind UAE and Qatar, Kyrgyzstan have to win their remaining three matches if they are to stand a chance of advancing to the playoffs, where another two tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be available.The match will be played at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium with kick off slated for 4:45pm Qatar time. 

Team Qatar secure second place in International Friendly Tournament

Doha: Qatar’s U-23 national football team secured second place in the International Friendly Tournament after a 2-2 draw with Australia in their final match, held today at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. The tournament also featured the national teams of Croatia, Egypt, Thailand, and the UAE.Qatar’s goals came through Jassim Al-Sharshani, who converted a penalty in the 76th minute, and Mohammed Gouda, who scored a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time (90+2). Australia’s goals were scored by Matthew Grimaldi in the 7th minute and Aiden Simmons in the 88th.With the draw, both teams finished the tournament with 5 points, but Qatar claimed second place on goal difference, while Australia settled for third.Qatar began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, followed by a 2-1 win over Thailand in the second round.The U-23 International Friendly Tournament served as an important part of Qatar’s preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled for September 2025.Croatia were crowned champions of the tournament after a 3-1 victory over Thailand at Al-Khor Stadium, finishing with 6 points at the top of the table. Thailand ended the tournament in sixth and last place with zero points.Meanwhile, Egypt defeated the UAE 5-1 in the final round at Thani bin Jassim Stadium, finishing in fourth place with 4 points, while the UAE dropped to fifth, also on 4 points but behind Egypt on goal difference. 

Team Qatar ready for FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 in Singapore

Singapore: Team Qatar will participate in the eighth edition of the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, taking place in Singapore from March 26 to 30, 2025. The prestigious tournament is regarded as one of Asia’s biggest basketball events, bringing together 48 teams from across the continent in both the men's and women's competitions.Before the main tournament tips off, a qualification round will be held on March 26 and 27, during which a draw will determine the final shape of the group stage matchups.Team Qatar have been placed in Group D of the main round, where they will face New Zealand and a third team that will emerge from the qualifiers. It promises to be a tough group, but Qatar’s players are determined to push for a spot in the later rounds and make a strong statement in the competition.The group stage will see Mongolia, Singapore, and a qualifier team in Group A, while China, Chinese Taipei, and a qualifier will compete in Group B. Group C features Japan, Australia, and another team advancing from the preliminary stage.Qatar’s squad for the tournament includes Nadim Moussallem, Ahmed Saeed Mohammed, Elhadji Magassa, and Mohammed Hashem. They will begin their campaign on March 28, facing the qualifier team in their opening match before taking on New Zealand later the same day. The players know they are in for a challenging schedule but remain focused on giving their best and competing at the highest level.Team Qatar approach the tournament with confidence and ambition, aiming to showcase their talent and earn victories against strong opponents as they continue their rise in the regional 3x3 basketball scene. 

Third Edition of Qatar Professional Squash Championship concludes

DOHA  – In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Saudi squash sensation Mohammed Nasfan etched his name in the record books, claiming the championship title in the third edition of the Qatar Professional Squash Championship . The prestigious event, hosted at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, drew an elite roster of international players, making Nasfan’s triumph even more remarkable.The final match was a gripping spectacle, as Nasfan faced off against Kuwait’s Abdulrahman Al-Maghribi in a fiercely contested battle. Despite dropping the second game, the Saudi star displayed unwavering resilience, securing victory with a 3-1 win (11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6), showcasing his tactical brilliance and mental fortitude.This landmark achievement marks Nasfan’s first-ever professional PSA title, a significant milestone in his promising career.Speaking on the occasion, Saad Al-Menhadi, tournament director, extended his heartfelt congratulations to champion Mohammed Nasfan and runner-up Abdulrahman Al-Maghribi. He underscored the tournament’s vital role in fostering talent, particularly in developing Qatari players and elevating their competitive standards on the international stage.With this resounding victory, Mohammed Nasfan has firmly announced his arrival on the professional squash scene, setting the stage for an exciting future in the sport.