Bayern conclude winter training camp at Aspire

DOHA, January 8, 2018 - FC Bayern Munich wrapped up their eighth annual winter training camp at Aspire Zone yesterday. The winter camp has become a key part of the Bundesliga champion's training preparations ahead of restarting the football season. The team concluded their final training session in the morning and flew back to Germany on the same day.To mark the success of the training camp with Aspire Zone Foundation, Mohammed bin Fahad al-Thani, AZF's external affairs representative, presented a commemorative shield to Hasan Salihamidzic, FC Bayern Munich's Sporting Director.Salihamidzic said: “Our training camp at Aspire Zone Foundation clearly achieved its objectives, and the players are refreshed and ready to resume playing in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. He added: “We held morning and evening training sessions which has prepared us well to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Friday in the Bundesliga, and SG Sonnenhof Grobaspach next Tuesday in a friendly. We're also looking forward to our match against Turkish side Besiktas in the Champions League in February."Salihamidzic summed up the team's experience at AZF saying: “The weather was ideal here, with temperatures around 25°c. Aspire Zone has great facilities and the pitches are world-class."Following a match against Qatari Club Al-Ahli SC, which Bayern won 6-0, Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben praised the training camp at Aspire Zone Foundation saying that the facilities and the atmosphere helped the team to focus. “It's going to be interesting. We are looking forward to our upcoming matches, as we have some big games coming," he said. Defender Juan Bernat said: “We are totally satisfied with our winter training camp in Doha. The camp has become a key event in our annual calendar and AZF's facilities are really impressive." He added: “Our goal is to clinch as many titles as possible this season with our new coach Jupp Heynckes. He's brought real focus to the team." Young midfielder Kingsley Coman said: “I have had several training camps at Aspire with both FC Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain. My first visit to Aspire was several years ago when I played for Paris Saint-Germain in the U-17 Al Kass International Cup tournament. And I've been back since with Bayern several times. I'm getting used to the atmosphere here, and AZF's facilities are really fantastic".In addition to Bayern Munich, Aspire Zone's world-class facilities and pitches have attracted a number of other leading teams for training camps including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, FC Schalke 04 in addition to Aspire-owned Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa and KAS Eupen, and the Tunisian team, who are currently training in AZF.

Rublev, Monfils set up final clash in Qatar ExxonMobil Open

DOHA, January 6, 2018 On a comparatively less cold and clear evening, Russian Andrey Rublev staved off a challenge from Argentinian Guido Pella after an almost two-and-a-half hour battle to set up a final meeting with Frenchman Gael Monfils at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2018 on Friday.In an anti-climax, the top seed Austrian Dominic Thiem had to concede his semi-final to Monfils due to ill health. It also meant that all the eight seeds of the 26th edition of the tournament were out before the final.The last time it happened was in 2004 when two non-seeds Nicolas Escude (France) and Ivan Ljubicic (Crotia) played the final and the former won."I have some bad news, due to some health conditions I have to cancel my start today. I am in bed with fever and there is almost no chance of a recovery until tonight.I'm disappointed, but nevertheless I had a solid start into the new season. Now I am focusing on Melbourne and being fit and prepared for the first Grand Slam of the year! #bamos #outsick #fever," said Thiem's Facebook message. Monfils wished him well, saying,"I'm very sad for Dominic and I hope he will have a speedy recovery." Only one semis show, however, wasn't a disappointment at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex as the 20-year-old and World No. 39 Rublev was given a run for his money by the 27-year-old 64-ranked Pella.Rublev began with a flourish as he demolished Pella in the opening set, breaking in the very first and 7th games, but the Argentinian clawed his way back and fought point for point in the decider before the Russian prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (2).Rublev was severely tested by Pella and the young Russian showed his steely character along with his repertoire of shots as he survived a match point to take the third set into the tie-break and win it. But even as Rublev was battling the left-handed Pella, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, who is in Doha, was heaping praise on the Russian prodigy."He's excellent.He's got a future, there is no question about it," said Bollettieri, who is here to work with coaches and help them develop young players in Qatar. Rublev sat pretty having won the first set, but Pella returned more wise and threatening. He broke Rublev's serve to take a 4-2 lead. And though the Russian broke back soon, he could not stop the Argentinian from taking the set 6-4.The decider was a tight affair with both players sticking to their guns. But at 4-5, Rublev was in trouble facing a match point. But two forehand winners, one inside out and another a superb cross-court swing, saw him get away. He then ensured a tiebreak where he added more force to his shots to emerge a winner at 7-2 and sealed a place in Saturday's final. Rublev has more hard work waiting against Monfils. The 31-year-old Frenchman has been a three-time finalist in Qatar (2006, 2012, 2014) and will be hoping to be fourth time lucky. "I'm happy to be in the final for the fourth time here. So I guess I hope this one will be better than the earlier ones. I'm just pleased the way that the year has started and I'll be ready for tomorrow," said Monfils, who's a hit with the crowds here. Earlier in the day, Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia defeated the topseeded pair of Jamie Murray (Britain) and Bruno Soares (Brazil) 6-2, 6-7 to claim the doubles title."It feels great. It was a great week. We played good. It gives us a little confidence for the Australian Open," said Pavic about the triumph. The singles final on Saturday starts at 6pm.

Qatar team opens International Friendly Tournament with victory

DOHA, January 6, 2018 – Qatar's national handball team started its campaign in the Qatar International Handball Friendly Tournament on high note, defeating Algeria counterparts 20-10 in the opening match held at Duhail Arena on Friday.The home side will shake hands with Iranian counterparts in the second match of the tournament scheduled at Duhail Arena on Tuesday. This tournament is bringing together four teams including hosts, Qatar, Oman, Iran and Algeria.Qatar International Handball Friendly Tournament comes in the frame of national team preparation for the Asian Men's Handball Championship 2018 scheduled from 18-28 January in South Korea.The Asian Men's Handball Championship acts as a qualifying tournament for the prestigious 2019 IHF Handball World Championship will take place in Germany and Denmark.

Qatar team shines in Netherlands International Beach Volleyball Open

NETHERLANDS, January 6, 2018 – Qatar Beach Volleyball team confidently booked spot in the second round of Netherlands International Beach Volleyball Open ( World Tour –four stars) , following its convincing victory over Norway on Friday.Team Qatar comprising Sheriff Younis and Ahmed Tejan made impressive performance to defeat opponents Norwegian 13-15.Friday's victory raised Qatar's points tally to 4 to sit at the top of group eight.The prestigious event is bringing together 32 teams distributed in 8 groups, including Netherlands, France Latvia, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, USA, Russia, Brazil, Australia, Slovenia, Belgium, Canada, Austria, Argentina, Czech Republic and Norway.

Pavic and Marach win doubles event in Qatar ExxonMobil Open

DOHA, January 06, 2018 - Second seeds Mate Pavic and Oliver Marach won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open doubles title defeating top seeds Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares 6-2, 7-6 to collect their first title in Doha.The final, a contest between the top two seeds in sharp contrast to the singles where only one seed made it to the quarterfinals, saw the pair from Croatia-Austria defeat the two-time Grand Slam Champions to collect the top prize of $36,730 to share.The 2017 Wimbledon finalists hope to take the Doha high to the Australian Open.“Very happy to win. First week of the year, first tournament win. Taking the momentum to the next tournament and hopefully have a good result in Melbourne. That's our big goal. Then we're going to see the rest of the season how it's going," said Marach.“It feels great. It was a great week. We played good. I hope we're going to play even better the next week. It gives us a little confidence for Melbourne, for Australia," said Pavic.“We're flying to Oakland tonight, getting ready for the next week. Hopefully we can keep playing this good and do well also in Australia," he added. Marach said winning the Grand Slam this season is one of the main target.

Olympic team prepares for AFC U-23 Championship

CHINA, January 7, 2018 – Qatar's Olympic team is intensifying its training sessions in preparation for the upcoming AFC U-23 Championship will run from 9-27 January in China. Qatar is pooled in group A besides hosts China, Oman and Uzbekistan, where the group leader and runners-up will qualify to the last eight stage of the championship.The Qatari side aspires to record good results in this prestigious championship, depending on its talented elements .The AFC U-23 Championship is biennial international age-restricted football event organized by the AFC .A total of 16 teams will compete in the tournament scheduled to take place from 9-27 January 2018 in China.