Tough challenge awaits Qatari teams at Katara Cup
Doha: Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, looking to lead Qatar’s challenge at the FIVB World Tour Katara Beach Volleyball Cup, will open their campaign with a match against American pairing of Ryan Doherty and William Allen in Pool H on Wednesday.
Younousse and Tijan, who played together for a brief period in 2014, are back as a team and could well prove to be Qatar’s strongest bet at Tokyo Olympics.
“We start well in our first tournament in Holland finishing in the top nine, but we were not so good in Iran. So we are looking forward for this tournament,” said Younousse at the pre-event press conference at Katara on Tuesday.
“It’s also a chance for us to show the world that we can do well and we have top teams. So I’m so glad we are hosting this tournament featuring all the top teams in the world.
“So it’s a good chance for me and my new partner Tijan to be ready for the next year and for the Olympics,” said Younousse.
Julio Cesar Do Nascimento Junior and Jefferson Santos Pereira, also hoping to make their mark, will take on Martins Plavins and Edgars Tocs of Latvia in Pool F.
Meanwhile, Benlouaer Ziad Ziad and Ahmed M A Ali Nassir, relative newcomers to the scene, are up against American top seeds Philip Dalhausser and Nicholas Lucena in Pool A.
Dalhausser and Lucena are flying high after winning the FIVB World Tour event on their home sand in south Florida.
The Americans said their first challenge was to get out of the group stage and improve their game as they move on, but it’s clear that they have bigger and clearer ambitions.
Tournament co-ordinator Mohammad Salem Al Kuwari said Qatar is proud to host the even at such a magnificent venue.
“We have the top players in the world and we are looking forward to have some challenging matches and we are proud to host the event in Katara one of the most sought-after tourist centres in Qatar,” said Al Kuwari, at the press conference, which was also attended by FIVB Technical Supervisor Christian Schemeth and Qatar Volleyball Association Competition Director Roberto Reggiani. “The players are excited and looking forward to play at the amphitheatre.”
