Qatari achievement in Asia, and statements by Reynders and Kimmich about their careers

Led by the multi-talented star Nasser Al-Attiyah, six-time Dakar Desert Rally champion, and Wednesday competition star Rashid Al-Athba, Qatar won its first two gold medals in the 20th edition of the Asian Games held in Japan, through the “skeet” competitions for the men’s and individual teams in shooting sports.

In the men's teams, the Qatari team collected 353 points, led by Al-Attiyah, who achieved 120 points, compared to 119 for Rashid Al-Athba, and 114 for Ali Al-Ishaq, to ​​regain the gold medal that it won in 2010 in Gwangju, China, and before that in 2002 in Busan, South Korea.

Al-Attiyah (55 years old) was hoping to raise his tally to 7 medals in the “Asian Games”, in which he won team silver and individual bronze in 2022, and individual bronze in 2010, in addition to achieving bronze in skeet singles at the 2012 London Olympics, but he was satisfied with 6 in “teams” after achieving 5th place in individual.

Al-Attiyah told beIN Sports: “To come out with two gold medals. This is an achievement for us, and more are coming.”

He added: “I am always keen to represent Qatar in forums. Whether in rally or shooting. The tournament was very difficult, and my preparation (was only) in the last two months.”

The individual gold medal was not removed from the Qatari team's record with Al-Athba's victory, while the silver went to Liu Jianlin of China, and the bronze went to Li Mingyuan from China - Taipei.

Al-Athba recorded an Asian record of 34 infections, compared to 33 for Leo.

Al-Attiyah said about his colleague: “Rashed gave a very excellent performance, and this was our goal: to get two medals.”

Al-Athba (46 years old) won the “double trap” gold medal in team shooting in the 2014 Incheon edition in South Korea.

On the part of the Kuwaiti team, which collected 348 points and outperformed the third Indian team (346 points) in the men’s teams, there was the veteran star Abdullah Al-Rashidi, along with Muhammad Al-Awad and Muhammad Al-Daihani.

Al-Rashidi, who is 63 years old, raised his personal tally to 9 medals in the Asian Games, including 3 gold medals he won in 1998 in team skeet, and in 2014 and 2022 in individual skeet.

Like Al-Attiyah, Al-Rashidi was also crowned at the Olympic level, when he won the individual skeet bronze medal in the summer of 2021 in Tokyo.

Dutch midfielder Tijani Reynders said that he was not satisfied with the role he was asked to play in Manchester City, stressing at the same time that he could not ignore the huge financial offer he received from the Saudi Al-Qadisiyah Club.

Reynders had joined the team competing in the Saudi Professional League in a surprise deal worth 61 million euros ($69.70 million). He explained that he preferred to play in the position of an integrated midfielder, who performs offensive and defensive roles, but he found himself increasingly participating in the position of an attacking midfielder.

He told reporters, as the Dutch team prepares to face Germany in the European Nations League, tomorrow (Thursday): “During the preparation for the season, I noticed that things were heading in this direction again within Manchester City, so I began to wonder if I wanted to play another season in this role.”

He added: “The honest answer was: No.” “I wanted to look for a new opportunity, and then I learned from the club that this was allowed.”

Reynders touched on the criticism that accompanied his move to Saudi Arabia, saying: “I think many people believe that a football player’s career at the highest level ends when he takes a step like this. “At first, I felt the same way, too.”

But his conversations with Al-Qadisiyah coach Brendan Rodgers prompted him to reconsider the matter.

“He told me I could spend three or four very enjoyable years here and then return to Europe,” he said. There are many examples of this now, and this is my goal as well.”

The 28-year-old added: “With the presence of all these big names, I see that the Saudi League is actually stronger than the Dutch League. If people want to judge the level of football there, they should watch it first.”

It was reported that Reynders signed a four-year contract, worth about 100 million euros.

“Anyone can take a moral position on the matter, but I think most people will understand this decision,” he said.

He added: “I don’t want to have to work after my football career ends.” Even after I left Manchester City, I did not need that, but this step also allows me to secure my family’s future for generations to come.”

He concluded by saying: “If this decision will also give my grandchildren a comfortable life, then why wouldn’t I take it?”

Joshua Kimmich, captain of the German national football team, said that he feels a special responsibility after the team's third successive failure in the World Cup, indicating that he is looking forward to working to change things in the future and bring a smile to the fans.

He stated, in an interview with the RTL and Sky networks: “When looking back, exiting the (World Cup) in three consecutive editions represents part of my career. You can't change what happened, but you can be sure that things will turn out differently in the future. This is what I direct my energy and focus to. “We will do everything we can to bring happiness to the fans.”

The German national team bid farewell to the World Cup in the group stage in the 2018 and 2022 editions, and also bid farewell to this year’s edition after losing on penalties to Paraguay in the round of 32, which was Kimmich’s worst exit.

He said: “For me, this was the most difficult exit from the tournament. This happened the third time, but this one was different, so it was harder. “I needed some time to process and deal with what happened.”

The German national team is seeking a new beginning under the leadership of new coach Jurgen Klopp, who replaced Julian Nagelsmann after the end of the World Cup.

Kimmich said about Klopp, who will lead the German national team, for the first time, tomorrow, Thursday, against its Dutch host in the “European Nations League”: “I definitely feel that he is very excited about this mission, and that taking over as coach of Germany means a lot to him. He brings with him a lot of energy, enthusiasm and great aspiration to this stage.”

He added: “It will be important for rediscovering our DNA and identity. This identity appears on and off the field, and at the internal and external levels as well, and it is reflected in the way we deal with each other, how we play for each other on the field, and how we communicate internally and externally.”

Kimmich sees himself as the leader of the German national team, and feels a special responsibility after he has played 114 international matches so far.

He said: “People always expect us to give our best, but I expect that of myself as well.” “It is also about helping the team return to the position to which it belongs, and to which its capabilities and talents qualify it.”