Stage set for AFC U23 Qatar 2024 draw

Doha: Battle lines will be drawn for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 when the official Final Draw ceremony takes place this Thursday at 12pm local time at the Al Bustan Ballroom of the Wyndham Doha West Bay in Doha. The top 16 U23 teams in Asia will vie for supremacy at the sixth edition of the competition, set to be played between April 15 to May 3, 2024 in Qatar. Adding to the excitement, the top three finishers of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while the fourth-placed team will participate in a Play-off against an opponent from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a chance to compete at the Olympics. Hosts Qatar, who qualified automatically, will be joined by 15 teams that successfully navigated the Qualifiers in September – 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams overall – in the Final Draw. Eight teams – Australia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan – have been present at every edition to date, while Indonesia are set to make their tournament debut. As the Host Association, Qatar will be placed in the Pots as the top seed and the other teams ranked by their performances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022, where Saudi Arabia emerged victorious. The 16 sides will be divided into four equal groups to contest a one-round league format and the top two finishers in each group qualify to the Quarter-finals. Seedings for the Final Draw Pot 1 (Ranked 1st to 4th): Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Japan Pot 2 (5th to 8th): Australia, Iraq, Vietnam, South Korea Pot 3 (9th to 12th): Thailand, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait Pot 4 (13th to 16th): Malaysia, Tajikistan, Indonesia, China

Qatar trounce India 3-0 for second consecutive win

INDIA  - Asian champions Qatar proved their superiority with an easy 3-0 win against India in Group A match of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Qatar continued their winning start with the second successive win that opened up a three-point gap for Qatar at the top of the group. Carlo Queiroz’s men had brushed aside Afghanistan 8-1 in their opening match, while India came away from Kuwait with a valuable three points, winning 1-0 last week. The defeat also produced India’s first international defeat at home in 2023 and first loss in the crucial qualifiers. Ranked 61st in the men’s team standings, Qatar dominated in every department from the word go. Moustafa Mashal, the star forward Almoez Ali and substitute winger Yousuf Abdurisag were on the target for the visiting team. Akram Afif ran the show in the first half with being consistent threat down the left side. He missed an easy opportunity to score the goal in the opening minute but kept finding gaps in the final third. Qatar’s opening goal came from a corner after Udanta Singh’s poor clearance at the edge of the outside box. Mustafa Mashal thumped his effort past the Indian defence to give his side a lead in the fourth minute. Qatar missed a golden opportunity inside the first two minutes when Akram Afif was found all alone six-yards out. However, he failed to convert and India survived the first real chance of the match. Qatar’s dominance continued as they hit 10 corners inside the hour, as they continued to look to add to their ten goals scored against both Afghanistan and India. India’s best chance of the match fell to Naroem Singh, after Suresh Wangjam found him through the middle all on his own, but the substitute dragged his effort wide of the target. Qatar recorded eight corners in the first 35 minutes but India enjoyed some possession in the final ten minutes. Star midfielder Anirudh Thapa created the first chance with sharp dribbling skills inside the box but Apuia Ralte missed an open opportunity with an effort going wide of the net. Wave after wave of attack continued for the visitors, including a free header from the goal scorer Meshaal, but they weren’t able to add to their tally before half-time. With minutes until the half-time whistle, Qatar’s centre-back Boulalem Khoukhi carelessly gave the ball near his own area, but Anirirudh Thapa spurned his shot in what was India’s biggest and only chance of the half. As with the first half, Qatar were ruthless from the off. Almoez Ali doubled Qatar’s lead inside 60 seconds of the restart after Afif’s shot fell to the striker less than a yard out, who steered the ball home for his fifth goal of the qualifiers. Ali came close to scoring his second of the match, and Qatar’s third, when he opened up his body and curled one to the far corner from the edge of the box. Everyone was beaten but his effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Qatar were able to score their third in the final few minutes of the match. A cross in from the left from Mohamed Waad found Yusuf Abdurisag who was able to steer his header into the roof of the net. Next up, India will take on Afghanistan away from home in the new year, while Qatar host Kuwait in Group A.  

Walter, Xue claim 10m air pistol titles at Doha World Cup final

Doha: Germany’s Robin Walter and China’s Li Xue won 10m air pistol titles on the opening day of the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup final at the Lusail Shooting Range yesterday. Walter, who added European Championship silver this year to the gold he won in 2022, secured his place atop another podium after a qualifying competition from which all three of this year’s World Championship medallists failed to emerge. Silver went to Italy’s 25-year-old world No 3, the highest-ranked shooter in the final, with Latvia’s Emils Vasermanis earning bronze. Later in the day, Xue earned a dramatic victory to lead a Chinese clean sweep in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Li, 23, trailed her 19-year-old compatriot Zhao Nan by 0.2 points before the pair fired their two concluding shots – and she moved ahead by 0.4 points after her opening 10.3 had been swiftly followed by a relatively disappointing 9.7 from her younger rival. Li, who won world bronze in Baku earlier this year shooting marginally earlier than her opponent and scoring 10.8, just 0.1 short of perfection. Zhao improved with a final 10.1, but gold was comfortably for Li with a total of 244.7 as the teenager finished with 243.6. In the penultimate round of shooting China’s world champion and world No 2 Jiang Ranxin had to settle for bronze, 0.2 points adrift of the leading pair. Earlier on Monday, the event began with a grand opening ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Speaking on the occasion, ISSF President Luciano Rossi hinted that Qatar may also host the event next year. “I am confident, inshallah, that Qatar will even host the 2024 World Cup final again in the year of the Olympics, where we can celebrate all together the Olympic medallists.” He added the next year Qatar was set to host “the most important competition before Paris 2024 – the shotgun qualification tournament where the last quota places will be claimed.” A total of 179 athletes from 42 nations are in the Qatari capital to contest the 12 individual events that will be part of next year’s Olympic programme, with the additional excitement of Super Finals for selected disciplines. Among the audience was three-times Olympic champion and six-times Olympian Kimberly Rhode. Also in attendance were Croatia’s London 2012 trap gold medallist and current world and European Games champion Giovanni Cernogoraz, and Italy’s London 2012 women’s trap gold medallist and three-times world champion Jessica Rossi. “It is a great honour for me to be with you today for the opening of the ISSF World Cup Final 2023 – a hugely welcome addition to our calendar that we strongly re-establish after a four-years absence,” the ISSF president said. The ISSF president thanked Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani for his support of this event. “And a special thanks to the President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation Mishaal Al Nasr. He has worked hard and his federation,” he added.  

Team Qatar to take on India in co-qualifiers for 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Cup

DOHA – Asian Champions, Qatar football team will lock horns against hosts Indian in the second round match of the co-qualifiers for 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Cup will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Tuesday. Qatar will head into the game brimming with confidence after thrashing Afghanistan 8-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers opener at the Khalifa International Stadium. Currently ranked 61st in the FIFA rankings, Qatar rode on four goals from striker Almoez Ali and strikes from Hassan Al-Haydos, Mostafa Tarek Meshaal, Ahmed Alaaeldin and Tameem Al-Abdullah to secure a dominant victory over Afghanistan. Having netted eight goals, Qatar are placed on top of the Group A standings with three points and a better goal difference than India. Under head coach Igor Stimac, India started their FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC qualifying campaign with an impressive 1-0 win over hosts Kuwait at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Thursday, November 16. Star forward Manvir Singh scored the match-winning goal in the 75th minute to help India register their first win in the FIFA World Cup qualifier overseas in 22 years. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the third qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. They will also earn a direct entry in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 to be held in Saudi Arabia.  

Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show concludes with resounding success

DOHA - The Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Al Shaqab, concluded with a resounding success on Saturday. Organized by Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar Foundation, the event held over two days at the magnificent Longines Arena Al Shaqab embodied a significant milestone for the Arabian Show Horse industry in Qatar and the wider region. The eye-catching show featured more than 250 of the finest purebred Arabians horses from Qatar and abroad. The show, which was witnessed by a packed crowd, not only showcased the beauty and grace of purebred Arabian horses but also celebrated the traditional and cultural significance of owning these magnificent creatures, reflecting the deep-seated love for Arabian horses in the community. On the final day of the event, Abdullateef Basheer Reja Alrasheedi’s Bashir Al Bashir claimed the top honours in the Senior Stallions Championship. Badi Athbah, owned by Al Jazeel Stud, was second with Aladeed Stud’s Falah Al Shaqab taking the third place. DA Magic Moment owned by Nasser Mohammed M A Al Hajri won the Senior Mares Championship. Al Thamer Stud’s AJ Sara took the second place, followed by Al Hamad Stud’s E.M Queen Desert. The Junior Colts Championship was won by Bahi Al Jaham, which is owned by Al Jaham Stud. Hamad Bin Muhamed Al Rajhi/Al Rajhiah Stud’s Alsultan RJ was second, followed by Sons Mubark Hindi Al Khaldi/Alkhawolid Stud’s Dawood Al Muawd. Majed Mohammed A. Alnukhaysh’s Shmooa Al Enaya won the Shmooa Al Enaya ahead of Mzoon Al Diriyah, owned by Mesfer Mohammed M A Al Hajri. Sab’ah Al Shahania of HE Sheikha Iman Mohamed K H Al Thani finished third. The inaugural edition of the show boasted an esteemed panel of judges who brought their expertise to evaluate and appreciate the prowess of these equestrian teams, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition. Al Shaqab International Arabian Horse Show is classified as a B show by the European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations (ECAHO), allowing winning horses to qualify for international shows of higher classification. Results: Mares 4-6 Years Old (Class 7) 1. E.M Queen Desert 2. AJ Sara 3. Minerva SBA Mares 7-10 Years Old (Class 8) 1. D Fala 2. Bint Sultan 3. Arwa Al Nasser Mares 11+ Years Old Class 9 1. Da Magic Moment 2. HS Miesque 3. Lamana Stallions 4-6 Years Old (Class 10) 1. Bashir Al Bashir 2. Karim Alkhaled 3. Muhab BHM Stallions 7+ Years Old Class 11 & 12 merged 1. Badi Athbah 2. Falah Al Shaqab 3. D Jaleel Yearling Fillies Championship 1. Farida Mudhar 2. Hariryah Al Nasser 3. Rahaf Mudhar Yearling Colts Championship 1. Hamza Al Shahania 2. Magnums Ramses SH 3. Baheer Al Shaqab Junior Fillies Championship 1. Shmooa Al Enaya 2. Mzoon Al Diriyah 3. Sab’ah Al Shahania Junior Colts Championship 1. Bahi Al Jaham 2. Alsultan RJ 3. Dawood Al Muawd Senior Mares Championship 1. DA Magic Moment 2. AJ Sara 3. E. M. Queen Desert Senior Stallions Championship 1, Bashir Al Bashir 2. Badi Athbah 3. Falah Al Shaqab.

ISSF Shooting World Cup Final kicks off in Doha

Doha: The ISSF World Cup Final (Rifle-Pistole-Shotgun), organized by the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee, kicked off Sunday in Doha. The opening ceremony, held in Lusail, was attended by HE Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, President of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Luciano Rossi, President of the Asian Shooting Confederation Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, and President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association Dr. Meshal Ibrahim Al Nasr, who is the head of the organizing committee of the championship, along with various sports figures and participating delegations. President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association and the head of the organizing committee, Dr. Meshal Ibrahim Al Nasr, welcomed the presidents of continental federations. During his opening speech, he welcomed the participants and shooters who will participate in this major sporting event, bringing together champions of various shooting competitions. He emphasized that hosting this championship reflects the commitment of the federation to Qatar's vision and the strategy of the Qatar Olympic Committee, aiming to be a pioneering nation that unites the world through sustainable sports development.  The event brings together 192 shooters from 42 countries. Olympic medallist Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah along with talented Rashid Saleh Al Athba will represent Qatar in the skeet event with Reem Al Sharshani and Sarah Mohamed set to compete in women’s skeet. Qatar Squad:  Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, Rashid Saleh Al Athba (Men’s Skeet), Reem Al Sharshani, Sarah Mohamed (Women’s Skeet), Rashed Hamad Al Athba, Mohamed Al Rumaihi (Men’s Trap), Kholoud Al Khalaf (Women’s Trap), Ali Al Mohannadi (Men’s 10m Rifle), Shahd Al Darwish (Women’s 10m Rifle), Usama Abdulnaser Al Sheiba (Men’s 10m Pistol), Nasrah Mohamed (Women’s 10m rifle and Men’s 25m Rapid Pistol) and Saleh Al Obaidli (Men’s 25m Rapid Pistol).