Lopetegui sees bright future for Qatar despite early exit

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s second successive FIFA World Cup group-stage exit may have brought a disappointing end to their campaign in North America, but head coach Julen Lopetegui believes the tournament has laid another important foundation for the future of Qatari football.

Al Annabi bowed out after a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a must-win Group B clash in Seattle on Wednesday, finishing bottom of the group with one point. A 1-1 draw against group winners Switzerland earned Qatar their first-ever World Cup point, while a heavy 6-0 loss to co-hosts Canada exposed the challenges facing a side competing on football’s biggest stage.

Yet Lopetegui insisted Qatar’s World Cup journey should be judged on a broader scale, particularly after qualifying for the tournament through the qualifiers for the first time. Their previous appearance came as hosts of the 2022 World Cup. newssport.cv

“The greatest achievement was accomplished even before the tournament began, when the Qatari national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history through the qualifiers,” the Spaniard said.

“Simply being among the best teams in the world is an achievement in itself, especially since many big teams were unable to reach the finals, while the Qatari team succeeded in securing its place with merit and deservingness.”

While disappointed with the result against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lopetegui backed his players and highlighted the character they showed after falling two goals behind.

“We didn’t start the match ideally. We conceded two goals due to the high quality of the Bosnian wingers, who possess extensive experience gained from playing in major European leagues. We didn’t handle some situations well, and we made mistakes that led to us falling behind,” he said.

“We showed a very good reaction in the last 15 minutes of the first half, controlling possession and threatening the opponent’s goal until we managed to reduce the deficit after a well-coordinated tactical move.

“We continued to dominate in the second half, controlling the game and creating numerous chances that could have brought the match back to square one.”

More importantly for the coach, the tournament reinforced his belief that Qatar are moving in the right direction despite another early exit.

“The big teams did not reach where they are today overnight, but rather went through different stages of development and gaining experience, and this is the same thing that Qatari football is currently experiencing at the global level,” Lopetegui said.

“The players proved during the tournament their ability to compete and play with a strong character against teams with a greater history and experience, which gives everyone confidence in the future and the team’s ability to achieve more accomplishments in the coming years.”

He added that the team’s biggest takeaway from the tournament was the belief that sustained progress remains possible.

“The most important message the team took away from this participation is that big dreams can be achieved through work, determination and proper planning.”

“Never before had we won a point at a World Cup. And never before had we had a match where we competed on equal terms with an opponent and arguably deserved more. The most important thing now is for the young players in Qatar to learn from the experienced players in this squad. Unfortunately, many of those senior players are nearing the end of their careers and I do not know if this was their last match for the national team.”

“The younger generation must take their example and learn from their professionalism and behaviour. Hopefully, that will help Qatar have another opportunity like this in the future.”

Forward Ahmed Alaaeldin echoed that sentiment, describing the tournament as another valuable step in the development of a generation still gaining experience at the highest level.

“For us as players, the Qatar 2022 World Cup was a very important milestone in our careers. We learned a lot from that experience, not only on the field, but also in how to deal with the big atmosphere, the high pressures and the great responsibilities that such tournaments impose,” he said.

“Every tournament we participate in gives us something new. Experience doesn’t come in a day, but through continuous competition, exposure, and playing big matches. What we gain today will be an important asset for the coming years.”

Alaaeldin added representing Qatar at the World Cup remained a source of immense pride despite the disappointment of elimination.

“We are proud of what we experienced in this tournament, and even more proud that we represented Qatar in the biggest sporting event in the world. What has been achieved is not the end of the road, but a new step in the journey of Qatari football towards the future and always the best.”

Miami: Lionel Messi returned to Major League Soccer action after World Cup duty on Saturday, coming on in the second half as his Inter Miami side drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew.

Two weeks after Argentina's loss to Spain in the World Cup final, Messi was back on the pitch, entering in the 53rd minute to the delight of fans at Miami's Nu Stadium.

But Messi could not mark his return with a goal, twice shooting wide.

Uruguayan Luis Suarez scored his seventh goal in his last four games to put Miami 1-0 up in the 16th minute.

Miami's former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro scored an own goal in the 34th minute which drew Columbus level at 1-1.

Suarez provided the assist for Noah Allen to head Miami into a 2-1 half-time lead.

But midfielder Brais Mendez, making his Columbus debut after arriving from Real Sociedad in Spain, curled in a second equalizer from an 84th-minute free-kick.

The result ended Miami's six-match winning streak and kept them in second place in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, who drew 2-2 at DC United.

Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps remain level at the top of the Western Conference after they drew 1-1 at Vancouver's BC Place.

Son Heung-min extended his scoring streak since the MLS resumed after the World Cup to four goals in four matches as he put Los Angeles ahead in the 37th minute.

الأخبارترامب يدعم إنفانتينو في»أزمة الفيفا»دافع الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب عن جياني إنفانتينو، رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم «الفيفا»، في الوقت الذي يواجه فيه الأخير ضغوطا متزايدة بسبب أزمته الأخيرة مع عدد من الاتحادا...فتح →

But Vancouver's German star Thomas Mueller converted a 76th-minute penalty.

The former Tottenham star Son, who had shouldered much of the blame for South Korea's failure to make it to the knockout rounds of the World Cup, also earned MVP honors in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.

Doha, Qatar: The draw for the 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup placed Qatar in Group C alongside China, Iran and Sri Lanka, setting up a challenging campaign for the young Qatari team at the continental tournament, which will be held in Ahmedabad, India, from August 13 to 23.

The draw presents Qatar with a major test in the opening round against three teams with different playing styles and rich basketball traditions.

China and Iran are among Asia's traditional basketball powerhouses, while Sri Lanka will be aiming to make its mark on the continental stage.

Qatar will open their campaign against Iran on August 14, followed by a clash with China on August 16, before concluding the group stage against Sri Lanka on August 18.

All teams will rest on August 19 ahead of the knockout rounds.

Qatar qualified for the tournament through the Gulf U18 Championship in Doha, where the team finished runners-up with seven points to claim the silver medal and secure a place at the Asian Championship behind unbeaten Bahrain, who topped the standings with eight points.

The Qatari team impressed in the Gulf qualifiers, recording three consecutive victories by defeating Saudi Arabia 80-76, Kuwait 81-53 and Oman 80-67 to seal qualification. In the final match to decide the title, Qatar lost 45-77 to Bahrain, finishing with the silver medal in a campaign that highlighted the progress of the country's youth basketball programme.

The group stage will be played from August 13 to 18, followed by the knockout rounds.

The qualification stage for the quarterfinals begins on August 20, with the quarter-finals on August 21, the semi-finals and classification matches on August 22, and the final and third-place playoff on August 23.

Beyond the continental title, the championship also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in the Czech Republic, with the top four teams earning direct qualification.

Qatar enter the Asia Cup aiming to build on its Gulf success and test itself against the continent's elite. The team is led by Turkish head coach Cenkiz Karadag, assisted by Abdo Al-Harji, Hashim Zidan and Munir Ben Ghalla

FIBA U18 Asia CUP groups
Group A: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, Thailand
Group B: New Zealand, Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria
Group C: Qatar, China, Iran, Sri Lanka
Group D: Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Kazakhstan

FC Nordsjælland have reportedly ended their pursuit of Al Ahly goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir after their proposed financial package was rejected.

The Danish Superliga side explored a move through Shobeir’s representatives but did not return with an improved proposal after Al Ahly made clear that they intended to keep the 26-year-old.

The Cairo giants rejected Nordsjælland’s approach because of the low financial terms. The proposal is said to have been between approximately $500,000 and $600,000.

The goalkeeper’s current contract expires in June 2027, leaving him able to negotiate with other clubs from January if he does not renew.

Al Ahly has offered him a three-year contract extension and is awaiting his response. The club also plans to increase his salary after his development into the first-choice goalkeeper.

Shobeir also recently appointed the UK-based agency CAA Base as his new representatives.

Nordsjælland had exercised their purchase option in May for Ibrahim Adel after a brief loan spell, with the winger signing a permanent contract until June 2029.

Nordsjælland football director Alexander Riget said the transfer strengthened the club’s relationship with Egyptian football and its Right to Dream academy in Egypt.

Shobeir, for now, remains with Al Ahly unless another club submits an offer that meets their valuation before the transfer window closes.

The post Nordsjælland End Mostafa Shobeir Pursuit After Al Ahly Rebuff appeared first on KingFut.

تأهل منتخبا مصر وبلجيكا اليوم السبت إلى دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 المقامة حاليا في كندا والولايات المتحدة والمكسيك بعد تعادل المنتخب المصري مع نظيره الإيراني (1-1) وفوز المنتخب البلجيكي على نيوزيلندا (5-1) ضمن مباريات الجولة الثالثة من منافسات المجموعة السابعة في البطولة.

وأقيمت مباراة مصر وإيران على ملعب (لومن) في مدينة (سياتل) بولاية (واشنطن) الأمريكية حيث تقدم المنتخب المصري مبكرا عن طريق محمود صابر في الدقيقة الخامسة قبل أن يدرك المنتخب الإيراني التعادل في الدقيقة الـ14 بواسطة رامين رضائيان لتنتهي المباراة بالتعادل بهدف لكل منهما.

وفي المباراة الثانية التي أقيمت على ملعب (بي سي بليس) في مدينة (فانكوفر) الكندية افتتح لياندرو تروسارد التسجيل للمنتخب البلجيكي في الدقيقة الـ28 قبل أن يلحقه بهدفه الشخصي الثاني بالدقيقة الـ50 ثم عزز كيفن دي بروين تقدم منتخب بلاده بالهدف الثالث في الدقيقة الـ66.

وقلص إيلايجا جاست الفارق لصالح نيوزيلندا بهدف في الدقيقة الـ84 غير أن روميلو لوكاكو فرض صدارة المنتخب البلجيكي في اللقاء بتسجيل الهدف الرابع في الدقيقة الـ86 وختم أليكسيس ساليمايكرز مهرجان الأهداف في المباراة بالدقيقة الـ94 لتفوز بلجيكا بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد.

وبهذه النتائج تصدر المنتخب البلجيكي ترتيب المجموعة السابعة برصيد خمس نقاط وبفارق الأهداف أمام المنتخب المصري صاحب المركز الثاني بالرصيد ذاته ليتأهل المنتخبان إلى دور الـ32.

واحتل المنتخب الإيراني المركز الثالث برصيد ثلاث نقاط ليترقب نتائج بقية المجموعات أملا في التأهل ضمن أفضل المنتخبات أصحاب المركز الثالث في حين ودع منتخب نيوزيلندا البطولة بعدما أنهى دور المجموعات في المركز الرابع برصيد نقطة واحدة.

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