Qatar 2022, QSports Launch Community Beach Soccer Tournament

Doha, January 20 (QNA) - The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, in association with QSports Leagues and Stenden University, launched the Qatar Nations Beach Soccer Cup this month, as part of the Committee's community outreach program for this week's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 - AFC Qualifiers to be held at Katara. Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Communications and Marketing Director and Vice Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 AFC Qualifiers, Nasser Al Khater, elaborated on the Nations Cup's significance for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee: "This is part of Q22's new local engagement initiative for the general public in Qatar and resident fans from other countries to enjoy a fun event and join in their national teams' footballing aspirations." The Nations Cup presented an opportunity for amateur teams in Qatar to represent their nations in a fun-filled and action-packed tournament in the build-up to the Asian qualifiers, which begin on Tuesday. 16 teams representing Qatar s diverse community registered for the Nations Cup, as a testament to Beach Soccer's rising popularity. The group stages for the Qatar International Beach Soccer Amateur Cup began earlier this month. The competition continued this past weekend with the final group stage and quarterfinals matches on the beach soccer pitches at Al Gharafa Sports Club. A young Qatari team delivered a superb performance to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Qatar Nations Beach Soccer Cup with a thrilling victory over the Europe United. Qatar initially fell behind to a strong European team and were staring elimination in the face. But, with cohesive one-touch passing and great off-the-ball movement, the Qatari team scored an equalizer, before snatching the winner in the closing stages of the match. The remaining semi-final slots were filled by Egypt, who delivered a superb performance to beat tournament favorites Portugal; France, who beat Pakistan 4-1; and Tunisia, who beat regional rivals Syria 4-1, to book their place amongst the final four. The semi-finals and finals will be held alongside the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 AFC qualifiers at Katara Beach on 25 and 26 January. Entry is free to both the Nations Cup and Asian qualifiers. On Friday the 25th, Qatar will face Egypt in the 1st semi-final match at 10h30 on Pitch 2 of Katara Beach. Tunisia will square off against France in the 2nd semi-final also on Pitch 2 at 11h45. The third-place match and final will be held on Saturday the 26th on Pitch 1 at 10h30 and 11h45 respectively. (QNA)