The fans want us to win and play well, so that’s why they jeer. Brazil’s match-winner Coutinho on fans’ SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2019 unhappiness Qatar to host 2019 ANOC World Beach Qatar’s Copa America quest Games QNA LAUSANNE/SWITZERLAND begins tonight at Maracana THE Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) on Friday announced that Al Annabi take Qatar stay the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games will be hosted by the on Paraguay at 55th in FIFA Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC). 10pm Doha time rankings “Qatar boasts spectacular Asian Cup champions oceanfront locations and is AYENI OLUSEGUN Qatar maintained their ready to provide the perfect DOHA 55th position in the world setting for NOCs and their athletes to compete in excit- ASIAN champions Qatar will and as the fifth best Asian ing beach, action and water make their Copa America de- country in the new FIFA sports,” ANOC said in a press but at the iconic Maracana rankings released on statement. Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. Meanwhile, Qatar has a proven track- Sunday – against a rebuilding Paraguay are placed 36th. record in successfully hosting and two-time champions Par- international events, includ- aguay with the match sched- ing Asian Games 2006; World uled to begin at 10pm Doha earlier that his mission is to Indoor Athletics Champion- time. The last time the two prepare the team for the 2022 ship 2010, World Handball teams met in a friendly, Qatar FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Championship 2015, and had emerged winners 2-0 in “In the near future we have other international champi- November, 2009. the Copa América, but we do onships in swimming, gym- Pitted against Lionel not stop seeing what comes nastics and cycling. Messi’s Argentina and Colom- next,” he said. Qatar is also set to host bia in Group B of the South “The big dream is to take several major tournaments, in- American football fest, Felix Paraguay back to a World Cup cluding the 2019 World Athlet- Sanchez’s team are not short but I think this tournaments ics Championships, the 2022 on confidence – despite a 2-0 can give great preparation on World Cup, the 2023 World loss to Brazil in a warm-up the way to Qatar,” the former Water Games and other major friendly, the team bounced Sevilla of Spain coach said. tournaments on its calendar. back to beat local side Ma- Al Annabi and fellow Asian In order to prevent disrup- dureira Sports Club 2-1 in a Football Confederation (AFC) tion to the NOCs and their ath- closed-door game. side Japan are the two invited letes, the sports programme Qatar received support Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo (left), celebrating after scoring in the penalty shoot-out during the South Africa 2010 World Cup round of 16 match countries to this year’s Copa, will remain unchanged and ahead of their debut from the against Japan in Pretoria on June 29, 2010, and Qatar’s Almoez Ali celebrating after scoring against the Palestine national team during a making Qatar the ninth selec- the dates of the Games will be South American football fed- friendly in Doha on September 11, 2018. Paraguay and Qatar face each other in Copa America group match at Maracana Stadium in Rio de tion outside of CONMEBOL moved back just a few days to eration CONMEBOL presi- Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday. (AFP) to contest this event (Mexico, 12-16 October. There will also dent Alejandro Dominguez, Costa Rica, United States, be no impact on the ongoing who said, “Qatar players have players in action. because we are not used ment we will be a bet- a niggling injury are set to Honduras, Panama, Japan, qualification process which to be strong, they are the Asian “The Brazilian fans are ex- to playing against South ter team,” the Spaniard make their mark again on the Jamaica and Haiti are the has seen more than 70 nation- champions and the future of cited to see the Qatar natioanl American teams, but had said. big stage. other eight). The Maroons will al Olympic committees (NOC) Qatar football. team play. We hope the team my players are confi- Sanchez has stuck “Since our squad has many also be the second Asian team qualify across the 14 sports, “On the pitch it is 11 vs 11, enjoys playing football in our dent that they will be with his young core young players, we look forward in the Copa America, behing with athletes from up to 90 na- so they have to be brave. Im- country and hopefully they are able to give their best,” of stars, who he has to gaining as much experience Japan in 1999. tions expected to compete. portantly, they need to belive up to the task to achieve suc- Sanchez had stressed coached since their de- as possible in this high-profile Qatar will also participate Qatar will also host the in themselves, they are already cess,” he said. recently. velopmental years at tournament,” said Sanchez. in 2020 edition of Copa Amer- ANOC General Assembly and the champions of Asia.” Qatar coach Sanchez has “Talking about possible re- the Aspire Academy. Meanwhile, Qatar’s oppo- ica alongside Australia as in- ANOC Awards, which will now Former 1994 World Cup however warned his players of sults is not easy. The likes of Akram Afif, nents Paraguay have won just vited teams. For now though, take place immediately after winner from Brazil, Rai Souza the challenge. “We have three very tough Almoez Ali and versatile de- one game in four since the start the Maroons can show Copa the Games on (17-18 October). Vieira de Oliveira said fans “Playing in the Copa Amer- opponents, but what I am sure fender Bassam al Rawi who of the year. New coach Eduar- America lovers why they are NOC delegates attending the would be excited to see Qatar ica will be a huge challenge, of is that after that tourna- has recovered in time from do Berizzo had acknowledged reckoned as an Asian force. ANOC General Assembly will be invited to arrive in Qatar at the start of the Games so that all NOCs will be able to enjoy the inaugural event. Brazil win against Bolivia but fans unhappy at lacklustre display QOC Secretary-General Jassim Rashid Al Buainain said, “We are proud of this REUTERS table for the lack of atmosphere. understand. If we get forward could hear it out on the pitch. confidence which underlines SAO PAULO Coach Tite admitted the and create chances then they “It’s different in Bahia. Qatar’s leading position in the players heard the boos and will applaud.” Crowds in Bra- People miss the Brazil team, global sporting. At the same BRAZIL got the win they said it was not realistic to ex- zil’s two big cities of Sao Paulo and the energy that we bring. time, we are fully committed wanted in their Copa America pect supporters to cheer a and Rio de Janeiro are known For sure, things will be more to live up to the challenge by opener on Friday but the post- team that was not playing well. to be notoriously fickle and animated than here.” hosting the 2019 ANOC World mortem of the 3-0 victory over “We felt it!” Tite told re- captain Daniel Alves hoped Both sides were poor in Beach Games in the best possi- Bolivia was as much about the porters. “Young lads feel it. the home fans would get more the first period but the game ble way, despite the short time lack of atmosphere as the lack- The coach feels it. behind their team when they briefly came alive five min- available to prepare. lustre display. “Having been at big clubs, take on Venezuela in his home utes into the second half when QOC Secretary-General The 46,342 fans, who when you sometimes don’t state of Bahia on Tuesday. Coutinho slotted home a VAR- added he was confident turned out to see the match at produce, then don’t expect the “This is normal in Sao Pau- assisted penalty. that the 2019 ANOC World Sao Paulo’s Morumbi stadium fans to understand. They will lo, there are lot of fans of clubs Coutinho grabbed a sec- Beach Games will be an were not impressed and the boo. When you pass the ball so it’s always complicated ond with a close-range header event to remember, point- team were booed at halftime along the back, from full back playing here, but we showed three minutes later before ing to Qatar’s experiences in with the scores tied at 0-0. to central defender to goal- Brazil’s Fernandinho (centre) tries to score against Bolivia at the personality,” Alves said. Everton rifled home a third organising sports events in The entire game at the stadi- keeper, the first thing you here Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium, also known as Morumbi, in “There was even a moment from outside the box with five various games. um, which was 70% full, was no- is BOOOOOOO!” “We need to Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. (AFP) when Tite shouted and you minutes remaining. Qatar begin with a bang at Asian Toronto to hold victorious Raptors Cameroon’s football team Beach Handball in China championship parade on Monday completes screening at Aspetar AFP TORONTO, CANADA CANADA’S largest city will hold a championship parade on Monday for the Toronto Rap- tors, the first team outside the United States to capture the NBA crown.