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14 Jan’ 2018
Qatar ready for Asian Handball Championship
Doha, January 14, 2018-The delegation of Qatar national handball team arrived in South Korea on Saturday to participate in the 2018 Asian Handball Championship.
The two-time defending champions Qatar are ready to make it a hat-trick of titles in the tournament which starts in Suwon, South Korea on January 18.
Qatar, who will open their campaign against debutants New Zealand in Group D also comprising China and Saudi Arabia, will face a tough challenge, said Team Manager Youssef Elmalem.
“Our aim is to book a berth at the next World Championship in Denmark and Germany and to win the Asian tournament. But it's not going to be easy," said Youssef Elmalem.
“Teams like South Korea and Japan are very strong, but in Valero Rivera we have a top-class coach. We are very satisfied with our preparations. We played six friendly games and won them all. We have don't have any superstars in the team, but all players are ready to fight and that is our strength." He added.
The top four teams will qualify for the world championship to be held in January 2019.
Qatar, runners-up in the 2015 World Championship which they hosted, were thoroughly impressive in the recent four-nation friendly tournament.
They defeated Algeria 40-21, got the better of Iran 33-28 before putting it past Oman 38-18 on Wednesday.
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