Day: 27 April 2024

Doha: The 2023-2024 Expo Stars League will conclude on Sunday with all six matches of the final round taking place simultaneously at 6:30 PM local time. This approach, adopted by the Qatar Stars League since the penultimate round, aims to ensure fair competition.

Al Sadd secured their 17th league title with a 4-0 victory over Al Shamal in the penultimate round of the season. This victory propelled them to 49 points, putting them out of reach of their closest rivals, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa, who both sit on 44 points.

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium of Al Rayyan club is set to host the Week 22 match of 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League between Al Rayyan and Al Sadd on Sunday.

Both teams have different aspirations going into the match, but one thing is for sure they are both eager to secure a victory and claim the three points.

Al Rayyan currently sit in second place with 44 points and will be aiming to defeat Al Sadd to consolidate their second place especially with third-placed Al Gharafa, who are level on points
but behind on goal difference, breathing down their neck.

Al Rayyan will be looking to secure a victory to finish as the league runners-up, while Al Sadd will be striving for a positive result to end the season on a high note as the champions.

The first-leg match between the teams ended, with Al Sadd emerging as 4-0 winners.

Meanwhile, Al Shamal face Al Gharafa in another crucial Week 22 match of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

The contest will be strong and important for both teams with either side seeking to provide their best in order to achieve a victory and advance in the rankings. For Al Gharafa, a win could also keep them in the battle for valuable second place in the rankings.

Al Shamal are currently ninth in the table with 22 points, equal with Qatar SC (in eighth).

Al Gharafa succeeded in overturning the deficit in their previous round against Al Wakrah and eventually won 4-2. The win helped Al Gharafa gain three valuable points to raise their tally to
44 points to be in third place along with Al Rayyan (second) and the competition between the two teams continues in Week 22 to finish as the runners-up in the league championship. Al Sadd have already claimed the title.

The Cheetahs undoubtedly will go all out for a win aiming to snatch the second place from Al Rayyan, while Al Shamal will look to correct the mistakes made in their previous-round 0-4 loss to Al Sadd.

The first-leg meeting between Al Gharafa and Umm Salal had ended in a 1-1 draw.

While a positive result for Umm Salal would provide them with a winning finish to the league championship, Al Gharafa (who are also in battle with Al Rayyan for the second place in the rankings) would strive to make the grade for the AFC Champions League qualifiers. Al Sadd, as champions of Expo Stars League, go straight into the AFC Champions League group stage.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Al Markhiya will lock horns with Umm Salal in a strong and decisive final Week 22 match of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Grand Hamad Stadium of Al Arabi Club on Sunday.

Both teams go into the clash seeking a win. Al Markhiya so far have a points tally of 17 points, advancing into the 11th position in the rankings from being 12th, also gaining from Muaithers Week 21 loss while Umm Salal are in sixth place with 27 points.

The match against Umm Salal could be a turning point in Al Markhiyas journey in the league as they look to escape the relegation zone after having registered an important and crucial 2-1 win over Al Arabi in their previous round. A win and another three valuable points could add to the fortunes of Al Markhiya.

As for Umm Salal, who have also played strong matches and achieved two victories in their last two rounds over Al Arabi and Al Duhail, The Orange Fortress enter the match against Al Markhiya without much pressure and will surely strive to win and aim to finish the comp
etition with the best possible result.

Given the scenario, the battle is expected to be fierce for the three points with either side considering its position and calculations in the standings.

It may be noted that while the bottom-placed (12th position) team in the league championship faces relegation to the Second Division, the 11th-placed side has to play the relegation Play-Off against.

Moreover, Qatar SC will battle Al Duhail in Week 22 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium of Qatar SC on Sunday.

Both teams would go into the match looking for a winning finish. While Qatar SC had steered themselves clear of the danger zone, Al Duhail are in the middle of rankings. Both teams would now want to finish the league championship in the best possible position.

Al Duhail have a tally of 28 points and are in fifth place in the rankings. Qatar SC, with 22 points, are in eighth place.

Al Duhail will seek to regain victories after losing their previous-round match 0-2 to Umm S
alal. The Red Knights will also work to end the league championship in their current position with Umm Salal now in the chase (placed sixth with 27 points) along with Al Arabi (seventh with 26 points).

As for Qatar SC, they are looking to end the season on a strong note especially after an exciting 5-3 win over Muaither in the previous round, which has taken their tally to 22 points.

Additionally, Muaither will face a tough challenge against Al Arabi in Week 22 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

This game holds significant importance for Muaither as they strive to avoid direct relegation. They are aiming for a victory, hoping that their competitors Al Markhiya will face difficulties. The battle between the two teams to evade relegation to the Second Division is intense.

The team finishing 12th and last in the Expo Stars League will face direct relegation. Meanwhile, the 11th-placed team will compete in a Play-Off match against Second Division runners-up Al Shaha
niya.

Muaither currently hold the 12th and final spot with 14 points, trailing Al Markhiya by three points, who are in 11th place with 17 points, ahead of the crucial final round.

On the other hand, Al Arabi sit in seventh place with 26 points, just two points behind fifth-placed Al Duhail. They are eager to secure victories and await the outcome of the matches between Al Duhail and Qatar SC as well as Al Markhiya and Umm Salal to finish the season in favourable positions.

Al Duhail hold fifth place with 28 points, while Umm Salal are in sixth place with 27 points.

In Week 21, Al Arabi suffered a 1-2 defeat against Al Markhiya, despite taking the lead with a penalty goal by Omar Al Somah.

Also, Al Ahli face Al Wakrah in Week 22 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium of Al Gharafa club on Sunday.

Al Ahli currently hold the 10th position with 20 points, leading Al Markhiya by three points, who are in 11th place following their recent 2-1 victory against Al Arabi.

Al Ahl
i will aim for a positive outcome to steer clear of the Play-Off match scenario.

In Week 21, Al Ahli suffered a 1-4 loss to Al Rayyan.

On the other hand, Al Wakrah, under the guidance of coach Ali Rahma Al Marri, are eager to bounce back from their 2-4 loss to Al Gharafa in Week 21.

Al Wakrah currently occupy the fourth spot with 38 points, trailing the second and third-placed Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa respectively by six points.

Furthermore, Al Wakrah are determined to secure a win against The Brigadiers before their participation in the Qatar Cup 2024 on May 1, where they will face Al Sadd in the semifinals, aiming to clinch a championship title and delight their fans.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Santiago, Chile has been selected as the host city for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, making it the first time in the organizations 55-year history that World Games will be held in the Latin America.

The press event of the official signing of hosting this event was held at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington on Saturday.

Additionally, 6,000 special Olympics athletes from both genders from over 170 countries, will participate in 22 Olympic-style sports at state-of-the-art competition venues, alongside over 2000 coaches and thousands of volunteers.

All countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will take part in these games.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins, and Al Shamal coach Poya Asbaghi spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 22 match, slated for Sunday.

“The positive thing is that there are no injuries and that all players are in good condition,” coach Pedro Martins said.

“Al Shamal showed a very good level this season. For our part, we seek to finish the competition in second place and we know that we have no choice but to win the three points. We must focus on our performance only in this match and do our duty to the fullest against a very organized team that has good players and is under a good coach.” he added.

“Of course, it will be a difficult game and we must focus on our match only and provide what is required of us without looking at any other results because we do not have control over the results of the other matches or their course. What we do have is control over the match we are playing and we must achieve victory in the Al Shamal match and wait for what the results of t
he other matches will bring,” said Martins.

For his part, coach Poya Asbaghi said: “A very difficult match awaits us against a good team that has players at the highest level and they will fight and do everything to win to try to get second place.” He added: “We realize that the match will be difficult, but we will do our best and we will play in order to achieve victory, get three points, and end the season in a distinguished manner, and in the best possible position in the league table.” “There was not much time after the last Al Sadd match in the 21st round. The gap was only three days during which the technical staff tried to prepare for the Al Gharafa match after a quick recovery process,” said Asbaghi.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Al Markhiya coach Bougherra and his opponent Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 22 match slated for Sunday.

Al Markhiya coach Bougherra said “We must continue fighting until the end and obtain points from the next match against Umm Salal in the 22nd and final week of Expo Stars League, or come out with a point at the very least, to maintain the position.” He added “The match with Umm Salal is no less important than previous games, and we must deal with it as a final, but without greater pressure than the pressure that the team faced in its recent matches.” “We know that Umm Salal won in the previous round and they had a very good season, but now it is our turn to finish the hard work that we did during all the past months in which we endured hardships, and we must endure more so that we do not regret this match. We must continue to act with the same mentality that characterized the team in previous rounds, in order to obtain the re
sult of this match,” said Bougherra.

For his part Umm Salal coach Patrice Carteron said “We enter the Al Markhiya match with strength, looking forward to ending the season with a win and advanced position in the standings.” “I am happy with the strong performance provided by the players, regaining victories and achieving wins over Al Arabi and Al Duhail, and the fighting spirit they display. We are able to continue those victories and win over Al Markhiya in the final round of league,” he added.

“Umm Salal have done a lot this season and our goal is to end the season with a win to advance to a better position. It is definitely an important and strong match,” said Carteron.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Al Arabi coach Younes Ali and Muaither coach Jorge Da Silva spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 22 match slated for Sunday.

“We are seeking a strong appearance that will enable us to achieve the required result against Muaither at the end of the team’s league campaign next Sunday at Al Thumama Stadium,” coach Younes Ali said.

“We respect the ambitions of the competing team, which aspires to achieve three points in order to escape relegation, and all the players are determined to make a strong appearance and a distinguished conclusion for the team in the league journey this season,” he added.

“There are some injuries in the team and we hope they will return as soon as possible… I am sad about the team’s loss in the last two rounds and the loss of points in these matches. The players lacked the desire and ferocity in attack after winning the Qatar-UAE Super Cup. I spoke to them and asked them to double their efforts during the coming period and restore their grea
t desire for the Amir Cup,” said Younes.

For his part, Muaither coach Jorge Da Silva said: “I am very sad about the loss in the last match against Qatar SC. The loss is not in our favour and complicated our position and placed the team in last place in the rankings, but I will not talk much about the match and we have an opportunity and a fateful match against Al Arabi” “We respect Al Arabi and the match against them will be very difficult, and there is no alternative to achieving three points. We will make every effort in this important match and I hope that the players will be at their peak, unlike in the previous matches we played,” he added.

“We feel sad because we are in last place because this position is not that of Muaither and we are preparing at a high pace for the Al Arabi match and we must make every effort until the last breath to achieve victory, and our goal is to remain in the First Division,” he said.

“I hope everyone will support the team in this crucial stage and I also urge the fans to
be present at the stadium and support the team with all their strength because their presence constitutes a strong motivation for the players on the field,” said D Silva.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar SC coach Yousef Al Noubi, and Al Duhail coach Christophe Galtier spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 22 match, scheduled for Sunday.

Coach Al Noubi said “Victory over Muaither in the last round was necessary in order to ensure that Qatar SC remain in the league championship and avoid any calculations related to relegation to the Second Division. I praise all efforts made by everyone in Qatar SC in order to push the team towards achieving that victory.” “The situation before the Muaither match was difficult, but Qatar SC succeeded in dealing with the match in the required manner and achieved a well-deserved victory. We look forward to continue the victories until we finish the league well,” he added.

“We are suffering from significant absences before this match. We will miss the efforts of Bruno Tabata and Raul Sanda, but the position of Martinez and Sebastian Soria is still undetermined… We are waiting for our fans’ presence to support us in this match,” s
aid Al Noubi.

For his part, Al Duhail coach Christophe Galtier said: “It is the last match of the season for the league in which we gave a very average performance. We were supposed to show a better performance and act more cohesively. I noticed that we made the same mistakes during our previous match that we had been making in the last few rounds. Although I was optimistic about the improvement that occurred in our team in the offensive and defensive aspects, the repetition of previous mistakes was frustrating.” “We failed to provide an appropriate performance, especially in the defensive aspect and lack of effectiveness, which cost us dearly as we played with only 10 players against eleven,” he added.

“I hope that in the next match against Qatar SC, we will regain the spirit that we have become accustomed to in previous victories, with a strong commitment to a quick return to regain the ball and exert a collective effort,” said Galtier.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Director of the Health and Safety Department of the Local Organizing Committee of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 Eng. Abdullah Al Bishri said that the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 had a significant role in establishing health and safety rules in all tournaments hosted by the State of Qatar.

Speaking to QNA Al Bishri added that with the tournament reaching the knockout rounds, no serious health and safety incidents were recorded, and this is evidence of the keenness on implementing health and safety standards and the lessons learned from the 2022 World Cup, which contributed to unifying the application of safety standards in all sporting events and major events organized by Qatar.

He explained that the tasks of the Health and Safety Department in the tournament are based on many aspects, primarily evacuation plans, work permits, periodic inspection and auditing, risk assessment, joint inspection with the Civil Defense Department and the ambulance service before each match, and conducting a
joint evacuation exercise with the security committee.

The Director of the Health and Safety Department at the organizing committee indicated that coordination had been made with the Asian Football Confederation regarding health and safety standards, and that tournament staff were trained on how to report health and safety incidents.

He pointed out that all health and safety plans and standards as well as evacuation plans were presented to AFC officials through coordination meetings that preceded the tournament kick off.

No compromise on health and safety standards, whether in the groups or the knockout stages Al Bishri stressed, adding that health and safety procedures are strictly applied at every stage of the tournament.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Al Rayyan coach Leonardo Jardim and Al Sadd coach Wesam Rizik spoke to the media ahead of their 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League Week 22 match scheduled on Sunday.

“We will play the last match in the league championship against Al Sadd. Our goal is to obtain a qualifying position for the AFC Champions League. We congratulate Al Sadd team for winning the league title,” Al Rayyan coach said.

“The team’s motivation at the moment is to get second place. Winning the Amir Cup gives the team a direct ticket to the AFC Champions League, so we will play against Al Sadd with the aim of achieving victory and maintaining second place in the Expo Stars League standings,” said Jardim.

For his part, Al Sadd coach Wesam Rizik: “A strong match awaits us against Al Rayyan, which is the team’s last in the league championship, after we succeeded in clinching the title after defeating Al Shamal in the last match.” “Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan matches are always very exciting and are not subject to any calculations, therefore
the game will be very difficult and intense,” he added.

“The coming period is the most important for the team after winning the league championship. We have entered an important stage after winning the league championship. We are currently focusing on the Qatar Cup and we will work to rest some players in the next game against Al Rayyan in preparation for the Qatar Cup 2024 semifinal on May 1,” said Wesam.

Source: Qatar News Agency