Team Qatar cruise to Arab Cup quarterfinals

DOHA: Team Qatar reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA Arab Cup after a 2-1 victory over Oman, thanks to a stoppage time own goal at the Education City Stadium on Friday.  The hosts, backed by home fans, went ahead with a 32nd penalty kick from striker Akram Afif before substitute Khalid Al Hajri cancelled the lead with a superb goal in the 74th minute.  The victory took Qatar’s points tally to six points from two victories in as many matches. The Felix Sanchez-coached side defeated Bahrain 1-0 in their opening match. Qatar, who became the first team to advance from Group A, will now meet Iraq on December 6 at Al Bayt Stadium.    

QOC and Ministry of Education and Higher Education sign MoU

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC)  signed   on Thursday Memorandum of Understanding  with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education  to boost their common work  in the field of physical and sport activities and  promoting the partnership that will bring mutual interest to both organizations. H.E  the QOC President, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani met with H.E Minister of Education and Higher Education Ms. Buthaina Ali Jabr Al Nuaimi at the QOC Headquarters. H.E the QOC Secretary General, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain,  signed the MoU  on behalf of the QOC and H.E Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Naimi inked on behalf of the  Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The signing ceremony was also attended by  Ms. Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Khater Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. This MoU covers the exchange of  experience and  information in the fields of education, physical fitness,  integrating physical education, sports, and Education. In addition to implementing a framework of  promoting  the sport culture and healthy lifestyle inside the Educational institutions environment by adopting effective policies of exchanging  experience at all levels of school sports.

Hosts Qatar seek victory against Oman to reach FIFA Arab Cup knockout stage

DOHA – The   reigning Asian champions,  Qatar  will lock horn against second opponents in Group (A) Oman at Education City  Stadium on Friday with their ambitious quest to reach the Knockout stage of the prestigious FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021.  Qatar playmaker Akram Afif has termed Tuesday’s victory over Bahrain important in team’s quest to reach the knockout stage of the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup, but said the Asian champions must be more focused in the upcoming group games.         The feared striker was instrumental in Qatar’s 1-0 win at Al Bayt Stadium, with Abdulaziz Hatem scoring the winner through a spot kick. The victory put Qatar on top of Group A with three points as Oman and Iraq shared points at the Al Janoub Stadium, earlier in the day.   The hosts could have won by a better margin if they had availed several goal-scoring opportunities mostly created by Afif, who hoped the team will come up with an improved performance when they will take on Oman at Education City Stadium on Friday.         

Mutaz Barshim wins World Athletics Inspiration Award

Monaco: Qatar's high jump champion Mutaz Barshim shared the Inspiration Award with fellow Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy at the World Athletics Awards 2021 ceremony held Wednesday. Barshim and Tamberi shared the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics when, after both finished on 2.37 metres, the Qatari athlete asked officials: “Can we have two golds?” These two became one of the biggest talking points of the Olympic Games , mainly for the act of respect and sportsmanship between two friends. Barshim said: “I hope to inspire more people to love our sport and maybe share a gold one day!” Tamberi added: “It is just crazy if I think about this story. Thank you very much for this trophy. I now call Mutaz like five times a week because I need to speak with him. I feel that now we are not just friends, we are really like blood brothers.”  

Qatar defeat Bahrain in FIFA Arab Cup opener

Doha: Asian champions Qatar started their FIFA Arab Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bahrain in second Group A match at the brand new Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday.   Abdulaziz Hatem scored the winner in 69th minute off an assist from striker Akram Afif. With Iraq and Oman playing a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, the win took Qatar on top of Group A. The hosts will meet Oman in their next match on December 3 at Education City Stadium. Even before a ball was kicked at the hosts’ opening FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™ match against Bahrain, there was a feast for the eyes as the newly inaugurated Al Bayt Stadium staged a stunning opening ceremony. In a show befitting the historic occasion, fans were treated to a jaw-dropping pyrotechnics display along with some beautiful choreography and performances that featured traditional themes, scenes and costumes from the Arab region. The stadium itself - the unique architecture of which is inspired by bayt al sha'ar, tents historically used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf region - is a true sight to behold. All eight of Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022™ arenas have now been completed, and after tonight only Lusail Stadium – the venue for next year’s FIFA World Cup Final – is still to be unveiled to the public. Check out some of the best images from this unforgettable ceremony, which included – among others - 220 dancers, 75 orchestra performer and 45 FIFA Fan Leaders representing 48 different countries.  

HH the Amir Inaugurates the Arab Cup

Doha: HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani inaugurated today FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, at Al Bayt Stadium. HH the Amir announced the inauguration of the tournament, saying "In the name of God and with God's Blessings, I declare the opening of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, wishing all national teams well. All Arabs are welcome to the Doha of all Arabs." The opening ceremony was attended by HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, 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, and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, and HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, along with a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and ministers. The inauguration was also attended by HE President of the Lebanese Republic General Michel Aoun, HE President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, HE President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Mohamed Abdullah Farmajo, HE President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh, HE President of the Presidential Council of the State of Libya Dr. Mohamed El Manfi, and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HE Vice President of the Republic of Yemen Lieutenant-General Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar, HRH Governor of Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HE Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Igor Levitin, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, HH Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Sultanate of Oman Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, HE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and HE Minister of Youth and Sports of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, and HE Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Turkey Republic Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu. The opening was also attended by HE FIFA President Gianni Infantino, HE Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al Hajraf , heads of Olympic committees and federations in Arab countries, Their Excellencies heads of diplomatic missions accredited by the state, senior officials in the field of sports, and the public. (QNA)