Qatar volleyball team aim high in ANOC World Beach Games

Doha, October 12, 2019-The Qatari beach volleyball team will take on Indonesia on Saturday in the beginning of their campaign at ANOC World Beach Games, Qatar 2016.Team Qatar were pooled in Group (A) alongside USA, Germany and Indonesia while Group (B) includes Poland, Chile, Australia and Mozambique.Qatar's beach volleyball team have recorded several successes over the years and they are one of the dominant forces on the continent.The team first caught the eyes of the world after its representatives, Tiago Santos and Jefferson Pereira, clinched the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Jinjang, China.Team Qatar followed up the achievement by making their Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games.The dynamic duo of Ahmed Tijan and Sherif Younis, currently ranked 9th on the FIVB World Rankings, have been the most successful so far.The team was crowned Asian champions after defeating Iran's Bahman Salemi and Arash Vakili 2-0 at the 2018 tournament held in Satun, Thailand.They thereafter successfully defended their title at the 2019 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Maoming, China by beating home favourites Gao Peng and Li Yang 2-0 in the epic final.The team also captured the gold medal at last year's Asian Games in Indonesia. They also won bronze at the 2019 FIVB World Tour 4-star in Xiamen, China in April and finished fifth at the FIVB World Tour 4-star in Doha in March.En route their participation at the 2019 FIVB World Beach Volleyball Championships held in Hamburg, Germany, the team claimed the title of the Swiss national Championship after defeating home side Switzerland 2-0 in the final.ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 presents another opportunity for Team Qatar to make its mark on the global stage and the team is expected to rise to the occasion as glory beckons on home soil.Beach volleyball 4X4 is one of the 14 sports featuring at the ANOC World Beach Games to be held from October 12 to 16 in Doha. All matches of the sport will be played at the Al Gharafa Stadium.

Team Qatar gets off to a flying start at ANOC World Beach Games

Doha, October 12, 2019-Team Qatar's medals quest at the maiden edition of the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 got off to a flying start with the men's handball team beating four-time European champions Croatia 2-1, after a penalty shootout, in the first match of the preliminary rounds of Group B on Friday.The match had ended in a stalemate in regulation time with Croatia, the runner-up at the 2018 Beach Handball World Championships, taking the first period (21-16) while Team Qatar bounced back to win the second in a nail-biting (17-16) finish. The resulting penalty shootout ended 9-6 in favour of Team Qatar with the heroic saves of goalkeepers Rasheed Yusuff and Ali Garba proving the difference between the almost evenly-matched teams.The first period of the highly enthralling encounter had the teeming Qatari fans on the edge of their seats, for the most parts, with its mixture of highs and lows as the Qatari team surrendered their early lead only to end up losing the period in a devastating manner. Team Qatar, who are the continental champions, started the match in a phenomenal manner, racing to a 10-2 lead within three minutes of play only for them to relax and allowed the Croatians to push back and restore parity by the 7th minute.With the match at levelled points, the confidence of the Croatians received a great boost and they became more daring and determined with much of the praises going the way of goalkeeper Hancic Filip Dominik in particular who stood like a rock of Gibraltar, repelling all the attacks of the advancing Qatari team.With the pressure building against Team Qatar, it was therefore not surprising when right wing Hani Kakhi got a suspension for a foul play with less than 80 seconds to go while his teammate Mohammed Hassan followed suit a minute later.The second period witnessed Team Qatar paying the Croatians back in their own coin as a quick succession of goals in the dying minutes saw the hosts obliterating a six points deficit to finish the period as winners and thereby taking the match into the penalty tie-breaker where they eventually emerged victorious.“The match was quite tough but we are happy to emerge winners at the end. The Croatian team really gave us a scare but we stood our ground and showed the stuff we are made off. We played against a very tough and experienced opponent but this is a good start for us and I believe it is a sign of good things to come. We are targeting a podium finish at this competition and we are ready to give it all it takes to ensure that. Our approach is to focus on each match as it comes and to give our best. We hope at the end of the day, we will be able to make our country proud," said Team Qatar's Hassan Mohammed at the end of the match.In their second match yesterday, Team Qatar defeated Hungary 2-1.

ANOC World Beach Games to begin on Saturday

Doha, October 12, 2019 - The first edition ANOC World Beach Games will begin on Saturday at the Cultural Village- Katara.HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, ANOC Acting President Robin Mitchell, national Olympic committees chairpersons, and guests will attend the opening ceremony.The opening ceremony will start with the Qatari national anthem, followed by an introductory film about the competitions and entry of participants. HE QOC Secretary General Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Committee and Director-General of Local Organizing Committee of Qatar 2019 World Beach Games, will deliver the Organizing Committee's speech. After that, ANOC Acting President Robin Mitchell will deliver a speech followed by the opening ceremony operetta.The competition program includes a mix of beach, water and action sports with 33 Basketball, Kitefoil Racing, Open Water Swimming (5Km), Aquathlon, Karate Individual Kata, Beach Wrestling, Beach Tennis, Beach Soccer, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, Bouldering, Skateboarding, Waterski Jump and Wakeboard all expecting world-class fields.Almost 100 countries will be competing across four specially created venues that will host Olympic medalists, world champions and many of the leading names in each of the 13 contested sports.

Qatar handball team to face Croatia in ANOC World Beach Games

DOHA, October 11, 2019 – Team Qatar will open campaign against Croatia in the handball event of the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 in Doha on Friday.The host side will also play a second game against Hungary in the evening period.Team Qatar is pooled in Group B alongside Croatia, Hungary, Spain, Uruguay and Tunisia, while group A including Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, Oman, USA and Australia.Qatar's beach Handball team include 12 players Said Qanawi, Ahmed Margan, Mohammed Hassan, Hani Kakhy, Ali Mohammed, Mostafa Al Karad, Motasem Mohammed, Mahmoud Zaky, Rasheed Yousef, Kamal El Deen Malash, Shadi Hamdoon and Ali Garba.On other hand, the competitions of Women's beach handball event and Men and Women's volleyball event will get underway on Friday.

Qatar defeat Bangladesh in Asian qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Cup 2023

​DOHA, October 11, 2019 - Bangladesh: A goal in each half secured Qatar a 2-0 win against Bangladesh in Group E of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Thursday.The win takes Qatar to the top of the standings on seven points, having claimed a 6-0 win over Afghanistan on Matchday One before playing to a goalless draw against India.It was Bangladesh's second defeat, having lost 1-0 to Afghanistan in their group opener.Bangladesh came into the match hopeful they could take on the reigning Asian champions Qatar, and Jamie Days side began brightly as they tested goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb in the first 10 minutes.Felix Sanchezs Qatar, however, gradually settled in and began to dictate terms as they pushed Bangladesh deep into their own half.Bangladesh were forced to play on the counter-attack and Qatars persistence paid off 28 minutes into the match with Yusuf Abdurisag breaking the deadlock after Almoez Ali, who received a long-range pass in the box, fed the forward for a finish from close range.Qatar continued to dominate but a second goal was not forthcoming as the 2022 World Cup hosts took a slender lead into the break.The West Asians continued to press when the match resumed and Salem Al Hajri came close in the 50th minute when he waltzed into the box but Bangladesh defended in numbers to maintain the scoreline.Akram Afif replaced Abdurisag in the 68th minute but Qatar continued to struggle to find the second goal.

Stage is set for ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019

DOHA, October 11, 2019 - The finishing touches have been made to the venues, and many of the 1,300 athletes have arrived for the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019, which gets underway tomorrow (Friday) and will run until October 16.Almost 100 countries will be competing across four specially created venues that will host Olympic medallists, world champions and many of the leading names in each of the 13 contested sports.The action begins on Friday with the first matches in Beach Handball and Beach Soccer taking place at Al Gharrafa Beach Venue from 9am.At the official pre-event press conference today, held at the Qatar Olympic Committee, Local Organising Committee Director General, HE Jassim Rashid Al Buenain, said: “Qatar, as you know, has an impressive track record for hosting world-class sporting events, because of the vision and support of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.“The 1st ANOC World Beach Games represents another landmark occasion for Qatar. The nature of this event provides us with an opportunity to show the world what Qatar has to offer as a leading leisure destination.“Our venues have been carefully selected with this in mind, ranging from the stunning beach front location of Kattara Beach, where most of the action will be centred, to the clear waters of Legtaifiya Lagoon.“Whilst I am looking forward to watching some of the world's best athletes in their sports competing for 350 medals, what particularly excites me is the prospect of seeing so many cultures and nationalities coming together for a celebration of fair play.“Sport has the power to unite like nothing else, so I urge those travelling here this week to celebrate humanity in the best way possible. There will be awe-inspiring highs, and heart-breaking lows, but at the end of the day we will all join hands as one Olympic family."ANOC Secretary General, Gunilla Lindberg, added: “We would like to express our thanks to His Highness the Emir, the state of Qatar and everyone at the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) for their warm hospitality. In just three months they have achieved a huge amount and we have no doubt this will be a fantastic event.“We have athletes from nearly 100 countries in Qatar guaranteeing that this will be a truly global celebration of beach, water and action sports. We cannot wait for the Games to begin and watch some of the world's best compete on this global stage for the first time."The competition programme includes a mix of beach, water and action sports with 3×3 Basketball, Kitefoil Racing, Open Water Swimming (5Km), Aquathlon, Karate Individual Kata, Beach Wrestling, Beach Tennis, Beach Soccer, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, Bouldering, Skateboarding, Waterski Jump and Wakeboard all expecting world-class fields.Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has been named the official partner of the Games while Katara Cultural Village and Aspire Zone Foundation are the Official Venue Partners. The Official Sponsors are: Baladna, the largest dairy producer in Qatar; Mowasalat, a leading transportation company in Qatar; and Bornan, the prominent international sports technology company. The Official Suppliers include: Xtreme Marine, a major supplier of boats and boats maintenance; Sports Corner, a top brand in sports apparel and equipment, and Al Rawda, the foremost Qatari water company.