Category: Sports

Liverpool achieved a 3-1 away victory over Fulham on Sunday in matchday 34 of the Premier League.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a brilliant free-kick in the 32nd minute to put the Reds ahead. Timothy Castagne leveled the game for the home side in the 45+2 minute.

Liverpool’s midfielder Ryan Gravenberch scored his first Premier League goal in the 53rd minute. Diogo Jota netted for the Reds in the 72nd minute as they seal a 3-1 victory.

The Reds raised their tally to 74 points behind league leaders Arsenal on goal difference.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Permits Management Director at the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar, Abdullah Al Mannai, confirmed that around 25,000 permits have been issued for this continental tournament, including registration via the official website of the Asian Football Confederation, as well as through the LOC-approved channels.

In a statement to the Qatar News Agency , Al Mannai explained that the Permits Management, in collaboration with the Security Committee and the Entry Permit Committee for Visitors to Qatar (Hayya), worked on obtaining the necessary approvals and issuing mandatory permits for all entities. Additionally, there is a special platform for journalists, called the “Hayya Media Portal,” aimed at facilitating the work of journalists covering the events, alongside issuing permits for all partners and workforce to perform their duties effectively.

Al Mannai highlighted that the accumulation of experiences gained from previous tournaments, along with the significant legac
y Qatar acquired after hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals, contributed to securing the issuance of permits smoothly through cooperation with partners and relevant authorities. This is done with great flexibility in parallel with the required technical aspects, aligning with the importance of the event, further enhancing the distinguished reputation of Qatari organization, he explained.

He concluded his statements to QNA by emphasizing that the Permits Management at the committee comprises outstanding Qatari talents who have gained extensive organizational experience through their participation in organizing numerous tournaments and sporting events hosted by Qatar in recent years.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: China defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on Monday in matchday 3 of Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

The victory was only the East Asians’ second ever win in tournament victory and saw them finish third in Group B ahead of their opponents, with both already eliminated prior to kick-off, the AFC website reported.

Having each failed to score in their preceding two matches, China PR and UAE were looking to salvage some pride and it was the latter who threatened first in the seventh minute. Fahad Bader romped down the left and put in a low cross that was turned into his own goal by Jia Feifan, only for VAR to rule that the winger had been offside when receiving the ball.

That was the best moment of the half for the West Asians, who came under the cosh from a determined China PR side that broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Harib Abdalla’s half-hearted headed clearance from Tao Qianglong’s cross saw the ball fall to Xie Wenneng near the penalty spot, a
nd the 23-year-old promptly volleyed it into the left bottom corner.

It was China PR’s first goal in six AFC U23 Asian Cup matches, with the last time they found the back of the net coming in a 3-0 win against Oman in 2018.

The UAE were granted a second reprieve in the 41st minute when referee Hussein Abo Yehia overturned a penalty award following a VAR review, but it lasted just nine minutes. A blind pass from Sultan Ali was intercepted by Liu Zhurun, who shrugged off Zayed Sultan and advanced into the area to drill a low finish past goalkeeper Khaled Tawhid.

Seeking a response, Marcelo Broli made three changes after the restart and reaped near-immediate dividends. Three minutes into the second half, Ahmed Fawzi masterfully brought Abdulla Almenhali’s piercing diagonal pass under control before calmly sliding the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper Li Hao. It was just the second shot on target registered by the UAE throughout the tournament.

That tally soon grew to three when substitute Mohammed Jumah, wh
o had fired a half chance wide already, drew a smart save from Li with a fierce drive just past the hour mark.

In the ascendancy now, UAE probed for an equaliser and Jumah headed a decent opening over before Sultan Ali nearly atoned for his mistake with a curling free-kick that was tipped over at full stretch by Li, who was making his first appearance at this tournament.

A rare glimpse of goal at the other end for Abuduwaili could have seen him wrap up the win but the forward’s tame effort was gratefully collected by Tawhid, who also shovelled away an effort from Zhu Yue late on.

But in the end, UAE simply could not muster enough to avoid a third successive loss even with nine minutes of added time, leaving China PR to celebrate a hard-earned triumph at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Korea Republic achieved a 1-0 win over Japan to seal top spot in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Monday and set up a quarter-final meeting with Indonesia.

Kim Min-woo’s header in the 15th minutes sealed the victory for Korea.

Japan, meanwhile, will take on hosts Qatar in their last eight encounter on Thursday after finishing in second place in the standings, with Go Oiwa’s side suffering their first defeat of the competition, the AFC website reported.

Kim scored 17 minutes after being introduced from the bench by head coach Hwang Sun-hong during a game that had looked destined for long periods to end in a draw as both teams had already secured their spots in the knockout rounds.

The Japanese began positively with Yu Hirakawa troubling the Korean defence down the left flank only for his cutback from the bye-line to be intercepted before reaching Ryotaro Araki.

The Machida Zelvia winger was Japan’s more promising outlet throughout the opening 45 minutes, pus
hing forward after Kota Takai’s header to bend a shot from 25 yards that only just cleared Baek Jong-bum’s crossbar.

It was from Hirakawa’s corner that Baek was almost caught out, the ball coming out of the sun from behind the stand to confuse the goalkeeper before he gratefully gathered close to the goal line.

With their top scorer Lee Young-jun on the bench, the Koreans carried a minimal threat until a minute before the interval when Hong Si-hoo slid the ball into Jeong Sang-bin and he set up Hong Yun-sang to strike, but Takai’s challenge snuffed out the danger.

Kang Seong-jin went closest to finding a way through for the Koreans in the 67th minute, glancing his header midway through the half wide of Taishi Nozawa’s goal after being expertly picked out by Hong Yun-sang from the right flank.

That sparked the Japanese back into life with substitute Kuryu Matsuki releasing Kotaro Uchino and prompting Baek to race from his goal-line to clear. Moments later Takai steered his header from Matsuki’s left wing c
ross wide of the target.

In the 75th minute, however, Korea took the lead. Lee Tae-seok’s corner was swung over from the right towards the far post and Kim was left unattended to power his header down past Nozawa.

Kim almost doubled the lead six minutes later, Nozawa dropping to his left to steer a low shot around the post while at the other end Kein Sato fired over the bar after Mao Hosoya’s effort was blocked.

Japan kept pushing with Joel Chima Fujita’s effort deflected off target and Hosoya heading directly at Baek, while Sato’s header hit the post in a frantic finish but the Koreans held on.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Feyenoord Rotterdam claimed the Dutch Football Cup for the 14th time in their history after defeating Nijmegen 1-0 in the final match on Sunday.

The only goal of the match was scored by Igor Paixao in the 60th minute.

Feyenoord ended the match with ten players after their player Yankuba Minteh was sent off in the 74th minute after receiving two cautions.

Participating in the final for the 18th time, Feyenoord regained the championship title and their last win was in 2018. (QNA

Source: Qatar News Agency

Manchester United reached the FA Cup final after defeating Coventry City on Sunday in the semifinals at the Wembley Stadium.

The original and extra time ended in a 3-3 draw, leading the teams to penalty shootouts, where Manchester United secured a 4-2 victory.

Scott McTominay scored in the 23rd minute, followed by Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes netting the second and third goals in the first minutes of stoppage time of the first half and the 58th minute, respectively.

For Coventry City, Ellis Simms scored in the 71st minute, Callum O’Hare in the 79th minute, and Haji Wright in the fifth minute of stoppage time of the second half.

The teams played extra time without any further goals, leading to Manchester United’s win in the penalty shootout.

Manchester United will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Qatar Volleyball Association announced on Sunday the match schedule for the final rounds of HH the Amir Volleyball Cup for the 2023-2024 season, to run from May 4-17.

Competing in the quarter-finals, May 4, will see Al Arabi face off Al Ahli, and Police SC play with Al Sadd, for two winners to go up to the semi-finals.

Likewise, May 5, will see Al Rayyan compete against Al Wakrah, and Qatar SC face off Al Gharafa.

The qualifiers of the HH the Amir Volleyball Cup for the 2023-2024 season included Al Ahli, Al Wakrah, Al Gharafa, Al Sadd, Al Shamal, and Al Khor, which were categorized into two groups, out of which four teams emerged victorious and joined Qatar’s top-4 ranking clubs of Al Arabi, Al Rayyan, Qatar SC, and Police, to compete for the quarter-finals.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: 500 volunteers are participating in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which is held in Qatar, where they play a pivotal role in supporting the operational operations to achieve a successful hosting of the tournament, as well as providing all facilities and services to media representatives covering the tournament’s activities.

Qatar has established a culture of volunteer work among members of society and has a long-term track record of volunteer work while hosting major sporting tournaments and events. More than 20,000 volunteers participated in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 witnessed the participation of nearly 6,000 who contributed to supporting the tournament’s operations, starting with fan services and ending with transportation services.

Shahad Al Maraghi, a Qatari volunteer in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup volunteer team, said that volunteer work provides a unique opportunity to contribute positively to society and return the favor and gratitude to Qatar. She noted the impact
of volunteer work in enhancing belonging, self-realization, and a sense of accomplishment, as well as honing many skills. She pointed out that she is a volunteer in the tournament’s media operations team, her role is to ensure that all facilities and services are provided to media representatives covering the tournament’s matches and events. She also feels proud to participate in helping journalists broadcast the matches in audio and video and introduce the world to Qatar’s capabilities and rich culture along with its authentic customs and traditions.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which was launched for the first time in 2013, is being hosted in Qatar for the second time after hosting it in 2016.

The tournament will run from April 15 to May 3, 2024, and will witness the participation of 16 of the best teams in Asia to compete and obtain a qualification card for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

The teams that finish in the first three places in the Asian championship will qualify to participate in the next Summer
Olympic Games, while the team that comes in fourth place will face a team from Africa in a decisive playoff for the last ticket. (QNA

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar and Australia played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday in the third match of Group A of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Qatar raised their tally to 7 points to top the group and qualify for the quarter-finals.

Australia exited the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 after failing once again to find the back of the net to limp out of the tournament and miss out on a place at the Olympic Games, the AFC website reported.

The Australians had arrived in Doha targeting a second consecutive Olympic qualification after appearing in Tokyo three years ago, but one point from their opening Group A games against Jordan and Indonesia left their hopes hanging by the finest of threads.

Needing to win and hope Jordan defeated Indonesia, the result at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium was academic with Indonesia’s 4-1 win ensuring Vidmar’s team could not progress even if a first victory of the competition had been secured.

Qatar had already ensured their progress with back-to-back wins to start the tourn
ament and when Mohamed Manai flicked his attempt towards goal in the fourth minute it appeared that Ilidio Vale’s side were in the mood to pick up a third win.

Manai went closer still from distance in the 13th minute, curling his effort narrowly over the crossbar.

But as the half wore on it was the Australians who looked the more likely to score as they increasingly dictating the tempo and dominated possession.

Jacob Italiano powered through midfield from deep before laying possession off to Rhys Youlley, whose low right-foot shot was steered around the post by Ali Korayem.

Four minutes later Jacob Farrell’s inviting ball across the six-yard box caught Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Mohamed Toure flat-footed while at the other end Ryan Teague stepped in to dispossess Lotfu Madjer as the home side made a rare foray forward.

Italiano then wastefully fired over the bar with two minutes left in the half after Brook’s pass found the winger in space behind the Qatar defence before, in injury time, the captain del
ivered a cross from the right that Nicolas Milanovic headed across the face of goal.

The Australians continued to dominate after the break, Brook bending his effort over the bar while Alexandar Popovic’s defensive header redirected Mahdi Salem Al Mejaba’s shot to safety. Brook again went close soon after, side-footing high over the Qatar goal.

As the half wore on the Olyroos continued to be frustrated, never more than when Keegan Jelicic’s 75th minute attempt was pushed onto the post by a diving Korayem.

That was as close as Vidmar’s side would come to a goal and the result means Australia head home frustrated.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Indonesia advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 after a 4-1 win over Jordan in their match at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday.

A standout performance from Marselino Ferdinan helped Indonesia march into the knockout stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 after a 4-1 victory against Jordan.

Indonesia’s goals were scored by Marselino Ferdinan (two goals) in the 23rd and 70th minutes, Witan Sulaeman (one goal) in the 40th minute, and Komang Teguh (one goal) in the 86th minute, while Justin Hubner scored by mistake in the 79th minute for Jordan.

Having already collected their first ever win three days ago against Australia, the tournament debutants ensured that their dream run would continue in the quarter-finals by sealing progress from Group A in second place behind Qatar.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Qatar has become an active centre for e-sports, which is growing rapidly in view of the State’s great interest in sports, making it an example of leadership, inspiration and creativity.

Through its strategy, the State of Qatar seeks to transform the country into a global e-sports hub by organizing several video game tournaments to keep pace with its growing popularity after the world’s top stars went to form special teams to compete for the tournaments, as well as benefit from digital transformations, the development of technology and the provision of appropriate infrastructure.

Qatar launched the e-sports project with the first edition of the Qatar Expo Stars E-League Online under the supervision of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) in cooperation with the Qatar ESports Federation (QESF), and with the participation of 12 teams representing Expo Stars League clubs for this season, the competition was held at Doha Festival City through the popular game (FC 24).

Al-Wakra won the first club to be crowned in
the first edition of the tournament after beating Al-Ahli (5-3) in the final, and Al-Sadd finished third, beating Al-Shammal with an unanswered goal in the third place play-off.

Al Wakra will represent Qatari clubs to play in qualifying for the 2024 Esports World Cup, scheduled in Saudi Arabia this year.

In this context, Secretary General of Qatar E-Sports Federation Faisal Khalid, said in special remarks to Qatar News Agency , that the dream became a reality after the success of the first edition of the tournament, a first step on the road to successes and achievements, pointing out that the first tournament was in the game of football, but in the near future there will be tournaments for other games and a special league featuring teams competing for a title for each game or set of games.

Adding that there were some challenges on the administrative and legal side of organizing tournaments and making teams, and they were working to overcome all the obstacles facing them.

According to the Secretary General
, they can achieve the basic goals in the near term, the most important of which is to create a competitive environment and encourage teams to attract the best players in each game, which will lead to the formation of a selection of the best players in various games to represent the state in the largest regional and international forums and tournaments, as a member of the International and Asian Federation as well as the Arab and Gulf Federation for the sport.

In concluding his remarks, Secretary General of QESF Faisal Khalid, pointed out that the overriding objective is for Qatar E-Sports Federation to join the worlds golden march with its great achievements.

Director of the Qatar Stars E-League Project Ahmed Al-Mughaysieb, in a special statement to QNA, stressed the importance of this tournament, which comes in the light of the great development in the field of e-sports in the region. Noting that one of the most important aspects of the agreement with the Qatar E-Sports Federation is that the league aims
to raise the level of competition among players and raise awareness of clubs about the field and importance of e-sport.

Also, he highlighted that the main objective was to develop players at a level that was appropriate for the country’s e-sports team’s representation in various international entitlements.

QSL and the Qatar E-Sports Federation have also paid great support, stressing that this tournament will be a first step for many tournaments to come. Affirming that there are great endeavors to adopt the league within the famous game “FIFA.” The Qatar Stars League e-project manager concluded his remarks to QNA by saying that the competitions will be transmitted directly through QNL’s social media platforms and will receive media coverage highlighting the league clubs, players, matches and best moments.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: April 20 – Uzbekistan secured their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 quarter-finals with a 5-0 win over Kuwait at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Uzbekistan asserted themselves from the get-go, quickly creating opportunities with Khusain Norchaev heading wide in the fourth minute, before Ulugbek Khoshimov forced a save from goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Fadhli eight minutes later.

Already under heavy pressure, Kuwait’s situation became more challenging when head coach Emilio Peixe was forced to make a substitution in the 20th minute, with defender Abdulrahman Karam stretchered off due to injury.

Kuwait, however, continued to defend resolutely as Uzbekistan resorted to launching long-range crosses into the area but neither Norchaev nor Khoshimov could get their headers on target in the 22nd and 27th minutes respectively.

Uzbekistan continued to probe and the 2018 champions persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when Alibek Davronov dived to head home Muhammadkodir Hamralievs cross to break t
he deadlock.

Kuwait’s Mohsen Ghareeb’s reckless challenge on Jasurbek Jaloliddinov outside the box almost proved costly in the 41st minute as the Uzbekistan captain responded with a solid free-kick, but goalkeeper Al Fadhil produced a fine save to keep the West Asians in the game heading into the break.

Uzbekistan, however, extended their lead just four minutes into the second half when another sublime Jaloliddinov free-kick was tapped home by Hamraliev.

With their tournament hopes hanging by a thread, Kuwait began to push forward only for Uzbekistan to further widen their lead following a counterattack in the 55th minute which saw Jaloliddinov supplying yet another assist with Hojimat Erkinov converting.

Kuwait were dealt another blow in the 71st minute when substitute Hamad Al Taweel was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Abdurauf Buriev following a VAR review.

Uzbekistan kept pushing and earned a penalty in the 86th minute after Diyor Jiyanov’s strike hit Khaled Al Fadhli’s arm with Diyor Kholmatov
slotting home.

Norchaev then missed from the penalty spot in added time after Saleh Al Mehtab brought down Erkinov in the box but the forward redeemed himself just moments later, finishing Zafarmurod Abdirahmatovs pass from close range.

Source: Qatar News Agency