DOHA: Qatar will stage another elite international sporting competition - the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month, it was announced yesterday.
The draw for next month’s exciting qualifiers took place at Al Bidda Tower as the event returned to Qatar following a hugely successful event in 2013.
Running from March 23 to 28, the matches will bring more than 2,000 fans to Katara Beach – with Katara supporting the event as official venue partner.
The crowds will watch 15 nations battle it out for the three Asian Football Confederation (AFC) berths available at the finals in Portugal this July.
A free to enter fan zone will also allow fans to further enjoy their experience at the Beach Soccer, featuring a range of activities for the entire family.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) have been confirmed as official organisers with the QFA the host federation.
Nasser Al Khater, Executive Director for Communications & Marketing at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said yesterday: “Hosting the qualifiers provides another opportunity to demonstrate Qatar’s ability to deliver events for the world’s elite athletes in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
He added: “We proved in 2013 what a success we could make of Beach Soccer and we are going to raise the bar with an even better tournament this year. The matches will provide Qatari sports fans with another chance to show their passion for football in all forms.”
Abdulla Al Saai, Director Futsal and Beach Soccer, said: “We would like to send a warm welcome to the visiting teams coming to Qatar to participate in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 and on behalf of the Qatar Football Association I wish each of them the very best of luck and every success. We are hopeful that our National Team will perform well and lift the title, but it will be a tough competition. It’s a fabulous opportunity for our team to work hard and perform well as all involved have been very dedicated.”
Joan Cusco, Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice President and FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member, said: “The level and competitiveness of Beach Soccer in Asia has been growing at an incredible speed. Today, Asian teams can contest anyone in the world, and have become terrible opponents for the beach soccer all-time powerhouses.”
He added: “This FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 – AFC Qualifier Qatar will showcase that growth, with a terrifically balanced fight among several teams who deserve going to the World Cup. Only three will make it.”
Now being played by 75 countries from six different confederations all under the umbrella of FIFA, it’s clear that football’s move from grass pitches to sandy beaches has been a success.
With its origins in Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, it’s to nobody’s surprise that Brazilian stars such as Romario and Zico were tempted to try their luck on the beach.
Even former French footballer Eric Cantona became involved in the game and is a big advocate for the sport, representing his country as both a coach and player.
The variant of association football played on a beach or any patch of sand, emphasises improvisation, agility and technique.
A distant cousin of the 11-a-side traditional format of the sport, beach soccer is unique in its own way.
Only 10 players are on the pitch at any given time, with five players on each team.
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