Qatar's Cherif and Tijan reach Asian Beach Volleyball last 16

DOHA: Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan advanced to the Round of 16 of the Asian Beach Volleyball Championship 2026 in Shangluo, China, after topping Group B with a perfect three-win record. turconews.click

The Qatari duo sealed their third victory by defeating Thailand’s Netitorn and T. Poravid 21-18, 21-11 in straight sets.

Younousse and Tijan opened their campaign with a straight-sets win over Malaysia’s Teh and Yong Jian before overcoming New Zealand’s Sam and Ben Odia in a three-set encounter, 21-14, 19-21, 21-15.

The Group B winners now advance to the Round of 16 as they continue their bid for the title and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Moussa Al-Khair and Mohamed Ehab Zaki ended their group-stage campaign with their first victory, beating Hong Kong’s pair 21-12, 21-12 in straight sets.

Al-Khair and Zaki had opened the tournament with a 0-2 defeat to China’s Wang and Du Hongjun before losing 2-0 to Thailand’s Pitak and Watchrawit, 21-19, 21-18.

The championships feature 24 pairs divided into six groups of four, with teams playing a single round-robin format.

Doha: Qatar revived their AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Hong Kong, while Saudi Arabia maintained their perfect start with a 3-2 victory over Oman.

Qatar, who had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Oman in their opening match, dominated from the start at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium and took the lead in the 10th minute through captain Ahmad Al-Sayed. Omar Ali doubled Qatar’s advantage seven minutes later before forward Yazan Mohamed added a third in first-half stoppage time to seal Qatar’s first win.

The result moved Qatar level on three points with Oman, while Saudi Arabia sit top of Group E with six points after winning both their matches.

At Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 18th minute when Awaji Mohammed’s header from Yasir Al-Dhafeeri’s corner deflected off Fahad Abdullah and into his own net. Oman responded five minutes later, with Aly Al Alawi setting up Hassan Al Qassmi to score from close range following a well-worked free-kick.

Saudi Arabia regained the lead two minutes after the restart when Faris Yousef’s cross was headed by Elyas Abu Bakr, with the ball looping over goalkeeper Hassen Al Hinai before crossing the line off the underside of the bar. Yousef then made it 3-1 in the 66th minute, acrobatically steering Fawaz al-Mashhur’s cross into the net.

Ghanim Al-Samin reduced the deficit three minutes later, sidefooting home from the edge of the box after combining with Al-Alawi, but Oman could not find an equaliser as Saudi Arabia held on for the win.

DOHA: Al Arabi climbed to third in the Qatar Stars League standings after beating Al Sailiya 2-0 at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.

Younes Hussein scored the winner as Al Ahli edged 10-man Qatar SC 1-0 in the other match.

After draws in their opening two matches, Al Arabi produced an impressive display to move to five points, one behind leaders Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, who face Al Gharafa and Al Duhail respectively tomorrow.

Youssef Snana put Al Arabi ahead in the 45th minute with a fine header from a corner.

Al Sailiya pushed for an equaliser after the break, with Ali Olwan testing Al Arabi goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail with a long-range effort. Al Hail made a good save to deny him.

Kellian van der Kaap then hit the bar from another corner as Al Sailiya continued to push for a goal.

Issa Laye sealed the victory with a spectacular header as Al Sailiya remained without a point after three matches.

At Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar SC were reduced to 10 men in 12th minute when Eisa Palangi was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ahmed Reyed Mawla.

Al Ahli had two goals ruled out for offside, with Qatar SC holding firm in defence as the first half ended goalless.

Qatar SC goalkeeper Ali Nader denied Ismail Mohamad, who later hit the bar in the second half.

Al Ahli finally found the breakthrough when Julian Draxler sent a looping cross towards Driss Fettouhi. His header ricocheted off the bar and Hussein was on hand to head home from close range.

The win lifted Al Ahli to sixth with four points, while Qatar SC remained 11th with one point.

Lusail eye first QSL win against Al Wakrah

Lusail and Al Wakrah will both chase their first victory of the season when they meet in the Qatar Stars League Week 3 clash at Lusail Stadium today.

Both teams have one point from their opening two matches, with Lusail sitting ninth and Al Wakrah eighth on the standings. The match kicks off at 7:15pm.

Newcomers Lusail have made an encouraging start to life in the top flight despite still waiting for their first win. They put up a spirited performance against Al Rayyan in their opening match before suffering a narrow defeat, then showed their attacking strength in a 3-3 draw with Al Ahli.

Coach Emanuel Mesquita wants his side to build on that performance against Al Wakrah.

“Our performance in the last match against Al Ahli gives us the confidence to continue working hard and fighting in every game,” Mesquita said.

“We hope to be ready against Al Wakrah and achieve a positive result.”

Mesquita expects a tough challenge from Al Wakrah, who lost to Al Rayyan in their previous outing.

“Al Wakrah is a strong team with considerable experience. Their recent loss to Al Rayyan will give them extra motivation to bounce back against Lusail, but we are prepared for all scenarios,” he said.

Al Wakrah coach Jose Luis Sierra was also confident after his team’s performance against Al Rayyan despite the defeat.

“Regardless of the opponent, I think my team is in good shape,” Sierra said.

“If we maintain this level and play with the same performance, I think we have a real chance to achieve victory over Lusail and collect the three points.”

Today’s first match will be played between Al Shamal and Al Shanania at Al Bayt Stadium (5pm). Al Shamal are on four points with Al Shahania on three points.

DOHA: Qatar’s men’s basketball team is stepping up preparations for the upcoming Asian Games Aichi–Nagoya 2026, with the team aiming for a strong showing in one of the continent’s biggest sporting events.

The Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, but the men’s 5×5 basketball competition will begin earlier at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya. Qatar will open its Group B campaign against Iran on Thursday, September 10, at 4:00 a.m. Doha time.

Qatar will then face Jordan on September 12 at 7:00 a.m. before taking on Chinese Taipei at the same time on September 13. Group A features Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, while Group C comprises China, the Philippines, Bahrain and Kazakhstan.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for September 16, followed by the semifinals on September 18. The competition will conclude on September 20 with the third-place playoff and final.