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Al Ahli clinched a thrilling penalty shootout 4-3 against Al Jazira after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to claim the Challenge Cup in the third edition of Qatar-UAE Super Cup at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi Sunday. Hani Taleb Ballan, CEO of the Qatar Stars League Foundation, and Abdullah Nasser al-Junaibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, presented the trophy to the winners. It was Suhaib Gannan who got the winning strike in a nail-biting shootout where Al Ahli’s kicks of Driss Fettouhi and Eric Exposito were stopped by Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khasif while Oumar Sekou, Julian Draxler, Michel Vlap were on target – along with Gannan. Al Ahli goalkeeper Marwan Badreldin stopped the kick of Al Jazira’s Vinicius Mello while Richard Akonnor and Khalifa al-Hammadi shot wide of the target. Abdallah Ramadan, Ibrahim Adel, Wilyan Rocha were the ones to score for the hosts but in vain. Earlier, following a goalless opening half, Brazilian Vinicius Mello put Al Jazira ahead in the 48th minute after intercepting a high ball from Bruno Oliviera inside the box. Just when it seemed that the Cup was heading the hosts’ way, Al Ahli turned the tables fetching the equaliser in stoppage time (90+3 minute) with Draxler making a header into the right corner from a measured lob of Dutchman Michel Vlap from outside the striking zone. That set the tone for a pulsating shootout which moved into sudden death situation but Gannan held his composure to score as his teammates rushed in to celebrate a deserving victory. 

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz has apologised for his Panenka penalty miss that cost his country the Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, saying his “soul ‌hurts” and he took responsibility for the 1-0 ‌defeat by Senegal in ‍the decider in Rabat. Morocco were awarded a spot-kick in the 98th minute after Diaz was hauled to the ground by defender El Hadji Malick Diouf, an ‍incident that sparked ugly scenes in the stands and on the pitch. It followed five minutes after a disallowed goal at the other end and the decision, made on Video Assistant Referee review, resulted in some Senegal players leaving the pitch in protest, encouraged by their coach ‌Pape Bouna Thiaw. It took over 14 minutes for calm to be restored and the game to resume, only for Diaz to ‍inexplicably attempt a weak ⁠chipped penalty that ‌was easily caught by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It proved one of the last actions before the game went to extra time and Senegal triumphed thanks to Pape Gueye’s superb winner. “Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologise with all my heart,” Diaz said via X. “It will be hard for me to recover because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not for myself, but for all ​who believed in me ‌and for all who suffered with me. I will keep going until someday I can give back all ‍this love and be a pride for my Moroccan people.” Diaz, 26, plays for Real Madrid having been born in Malaga and also won a cap for Spain before switching allegiances to Morocco in 2024. He finished as the leading scorer in ​the 2025 Cup of Nations after netting a goal in each of Morocco’s first five games at the tournament. Morocco’s 50-year wait for the continental title will continue at least until the 2027 tournament. Named after Czech footballer Antonin Panenka, the style of spot-kick is one where the player gently chips the ball into the centre of the goal rather than powerfully to either side, hoping the keeper will commit to diving. 

On another thrilling day of action in the FIFA Arab Cup, Morocco defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 at the Lusail Stadium Monday to top Group B and reach the quarter-finals. The Saudis, who missed a penalty, had already secured their progress to the knockout stages.Elsewhere, Oman needed victory over Comoros and for Morocco to lose to the Saudis to seal an unlikely qualification. They fulfilled their end of the bargain with a 2-1 victory but the result elsewhere ensured their elimination.Requiring a draw to progress, Morocco secured their passage to the quarter-finals with victory over Saudi Arabia, who missed a penalty in the second half. The Green Falcons held their own after making multiple changes following their prior progress to the knockouts following back-to-back victories. Herve Renard's men came close to breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute when a looping header from Saleh Abu al-Shamat flew over Morocco goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid and clipped the crossbar.**media[391515]**With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Morocco immediately fought back and took the lead after Tarik Tissoudali laid the ball off to Karim El Berkaoui, who finished under intense pressure from the Saudi defence. Saudi Arabia refused to give up and were awarded a penalty midway through the second half following a foul by Amin Zahzouh on substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan, who attempted a Panenka but chipped the resulting spot kick over the bar.Oman exit despite win over ComorosAt the Stadium 974, Oman needing to not just win but also chase goals wasted little time in setting about that task. Within the first half hour alone, Issam al-Sabhi twice failed to hit the target from close range, Zahir al-Aghbari forced a pair of saves from Comoros keeper Ali Ahamada and Jameel al-Yahmadi also blazed wide.When the goal did eventually come, it was not a moment that Ahamada will remember fondly as he attempted to dribble past Al Sabhi inside the six-yard box, was duly dispossessed and watched on as the Omani forward tucked home into an empty goal.A swooping header just shy of the break doubled al-Sabhi and Oman’s advantage before things swung unexpectedly in Comoros’ favour after the resumption.Firstly a delightful solo effort from Nassuir Hamidou saw them peg one back before several late chances were squandered in an entertaining finale to a campaign that saw the debutants ultimately end with three straight defeats.Oman depart with four points and at something of a crossroads ahead of the start of qualification for the next FIFA World Cup. 

The Reformatory and Penalty Institutions Department at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has welcomed a group of students from the Police Sciences Diploma Programme at the Police Institute, as part of efforts to strengthen academic and practical co-operation between security agencies and educational institutions within the ministry.According to a post by MoI on X, the student delegation was received by Major-General Nasser Mohammed Isa al-Sayed, the director of the Reformatory and Penalty Institutions Department, who stressed the importance of such visits in reinforcing professional values among them, and familiarise them with the nature of work within the reformatory and penal institutions and their role in the overall security system.During the visit, Colonel Youssef Bilal al-Abdullah, the assistant director of the department, delivered an introductory lecture outlining the department’s role in the rehabilitation and reform of inmates.He reviewed its responsibilities and assigned duties, in addition to its efforts to provide a safe and motivating environment that encourages positive change.The students undertook a field tour of facilities within the institution, and were briefed on the services provided to inmates and the resources available to support rehabilitation and reform programmes.

In response to the growing interest in benefiting from the 100% Financial Penalty Exemption Initiative, and in line with its commitment to supporting taxpayers and enabling them to regularise their status, the General Tax Authority has announced the extension of the submission period for the initiative until December 31, 2025.The extension aims to provide the opportunity for the largest possible number of taxpayers to benefit from the available exemptions.The GTA allows taxpayers to apply for the initiative through the Dhareeba platform, while continuing to provide support and guidance services that reinforce transparency and help instill a culture of tax compliance.The initiative has achieved significant results, with more than 7,000 taxpayers exempted from financial penalties exceeding QR1.6bn, and over 56,000 tax returns submitted — including overdue returns covering tax periods from 2014 to 2024. This has greatly contributed to raising the overall tax compliance rate.The initiative also witnessed a high participation rate among companies and business owners who were able to rectify their situations and benefit from the full exemption from financial penalties. Beneficiary companies represented various vital sectors, reflecting the inclusiveness of the initiative and its broad impact in supporting different components of the national economy.The GTA has urged taxpayers to take advantage of the initiative via the Dhareeba platform. The initiative is considered one of the Authority’s landmark measures, designed to enable taxpayers to settle their tax obligations through a 100% exemption from financial penalties incurred due to late registration, filing, or payment, subject to specific terms and conditions.The GTA has confirmed that the initiative has successfully enhanced voluntary compliance by offering a clear and practical opportunity to rectify tax status with ease and convenience. This contributes to the efficiency of the tax system and strengthens the relationship of trust and partnership between the Authority and taxpayers.