A Qatar U-23 team’s file photo.
Doha: After national handball team’s fiery start yesterday, Qatar football team will be hoping for a winning start at Asian Games as they meet Thailand in their opening match today at Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia.
Al Anabi, who are without their key players wrapped up training yesterday, ahead of their opening group B clash to be played at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium.
The other teams in the group includes Uzbekistan and Bangladesh.
Qatar will face Uzbekistan on Thursday in their second match before taking on Bangladesh in their final group match on August 19.
The national U-23 team is without stars Al Moez Ali, Akram Afif, Bassam Al Rawi and Abdullah Abdulsalam, who stayed home for their participation in Al Sadd and Al Duhail’s AFC Champions League quarter-finals clashes.
Despite their absence, the coach Unai Melgosa’s side has the potential to do well in the continental competition and earn a medal for Qatar.
All countries participating at the Asian Games will be represented by a U-23 squad with three over aged players and the top two from each group will advance to the round of 16.
Qatar basketball team meets Hong Kong in opener
Qatar basketball team will also begin their campaign in the Asian Games today, meeting Hong Kong in their first match in Jakarta.
Qatar will meet Japan in their second group C match and will play against Chinses Taepei in their last match of the opening round.
The Jakarta’s Youth and Sports Agency yesterday confirmed that the Jakarta International Baseball Arena, located in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, was ready for use for the 2018 Asian Games.
“The construction of the Jakarta International Baseball Arena is complete and is ready to be used for the Asiad,” Jakarta Sports Agency head Ratiyono said yesterday.
He said it took four months — April to July — to complete the construction of the baseball arena.
