13 MON DAY, JANUARY, 2014 3 AL KASS COMPETITORS DARE TO DREAM TAKING JUNIOR FOOTBALL FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Chairman of Al Kass Organising Committee, Essa Al Hetmi: Tournament is a tribute to global football t is not particularly conventional for a sports broadcaster to Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Fluminense, the Al host its very own tournament. However, in the case of Al Kass Cup is essentially a showcase of the future of football IKass, its International Cup, which kicks-off today, it is part right here in Doha – host of the FIFA World Cup 2022 – and of a larger Corporate Social Responsibility project undertaken will most likely see some of the players return as seniors, by the channel, says Essa Al Hetmi, Chairman of the Al Kass representing individual nations on the biggest stage of all. Organising Committee. Held at Aspire Academy’s pristine pitches in ideal football “Essentially the Al Kass International Cup initiative evolved weather conditions, the tournament, which offers free public from the popularity of the Ramadan football tournaments access, is also a way to raise the level of competition in Qatar held in Doha,” said Chairman Al Hetmi. “Through it we with regards to its future national squad, as they are test sought to enhance the level and the quality of football themselves against some of the greats in their age group. It matches open to local public, as well as contribute to the is a measure of the advancements made in youth football wider regional and international footballing community.” in Qatar in recent years that both Aspire Qatar and Aspire International are expected to provide stiff competition for the Now in its third year, the #AlKassCup could be regarded as other sides. a fairly young tournament, like its contestants. However, “Although the Al Kass Cup is in its infancy, it will essentially Chairman Al Hetmi affirms that it is the contest’s resounding raise the standard of play within Qatar as we see the two past successes that continue to take the tournament from Aspire teams facing off with some of the greatest talents in strength to strength. their categories, which will no doubt strengthen the Qatari team in time for 2022,” Al Hetmi says. “I also think that the “Since its inception in 2012, year-on-year the Al Kass Cup tournament is an exciting learning experience for the young has grown to be an elite showcase of the world’s best junior players outside of the football realm, as the subsequent Spanish giants Real Madrid arrived at Doha International Airport on Saturday night football talent, providing a glimpse of what to expect from interaction between the local and visiting teams will no some of the world’s most beloved football clubs in years to doubt result in valuable cultural exchanges too.” nder-16 football teams from around the world have touched come,” said Chairman Al Hetmi. “The sheer names of the down in Doha ahead of the Al Kass International Cup, due to kick teams now taking part in the Al Kass Cup is evidence in and Welcoming the world of junior football back to Doha for Uoff today. of itself of our ongoing success. Add to that the number of the third time, the Chairman adds, “We are expecting to requests we receive versus invites we now send out, I think see an impressive turnout at this year’s Al Kass Cup as the Clubs from the United States, Europe and Japan will compete alongside it’s safe to say that a slot in the tournament line-up is now country’s youths come along to the matches in support of Qatar-based teams Aspire Qatar and Aspire International during the highly sought after.” their favourite teams, sporting their best banners and outfits. course of the ten-day tournament. I also hope to see greater participation from Arab teams at Hosting 12 youth teams from some of the best clubs in the next year’s tournament.” Essa Al Hetmi, Chairman of the Al Kass Organising Committee Saturday night saw the arrivals of two of the biggest footballing rivals in world, including FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris the game’s history, Spanish sides Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Meanwhile, those amongst the first to arrive included French giants Paris Saint-Germain and AJ Auxerre, both set for Monday night clashes with FC Barcelona and Fluminense respectively. For Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the Al-Kass International Cup in 2012 and runners-up last year, expectations are high, and Team Coach François Rodrigues acknowledged “some extra pressure this year.” New boys on the block: FC Barcelona kick off their first ever Al Kass International Cup game on Monday against Auxerre “We have a historic relationship with this tournament and in 2014 the competition at Al-Kass is stronger than ever before,” the 43-year old said. “This year we really will have to play at our very best, but still the feeling around the camp is good and I am optimistic about our chances. Playing for us are athletes who compete in the French national team, and we think our team can go all the way and make our club proud.” “We have a historic PSG face a tough test against Barcelona, and for AJ Auxerre there is relationship with this an equally daunting challenge in prospect. Yet, despite having to line up against Cup holders FC Fluminense on Monday, their coach Robin tournament and in Courtois insists there are no nerves in the team’s camp. 2014 the competition “All of my players are so proud to be in Doha, and so very excited that the tournament is about to begin,” he said. “All we are focused on is at Al Kass is stronger making our club proud – by trying to get the best results possible. We have a very young group of players but we are actually quite confident than ever before” about our chances. Paris Saint-Germain will kick off against FC Barcelona at 4.15pm today, and AJ Auxerre will play Fluminense FC later this evening at 8.25pm - François Rodrigues, (Doha time). Les Bleus in Doha: PSG are amongst the favourites this year PSG U-16 Coach sdgerherttnhjq5h234w 13 MON DAY, JANUARY, 2014 5 Fluminense Return to Al Kass International Cup as Defending Champions Defending as Cup Al Kass International to Fluminense Return TEAM HOPES TO RETAIN ITS TITLE USING FAMOUS BRAZILIAN PIZZAZZ ast year’s winners of the second annual Al keeper Marcos Felipe saved numerous penalties Kass International Cup, Fluminense, return as Flu emerged victorious to win the Al Kass Cup Lthis year as defending champions and are - a victory which Câmara attributes to the team’s hoping to retain their title using their unique attacking philosophy. Brazilian flair. “We have just one style of play and that is Having beaten 2012 victors Paris Saint-Germain Brazilian style, offensive,” he says. “But we also in a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout in the final of value each individual player’s personal style and the 2013 tournament, ‘Flu’ went on to see several talent, which is something also very important of its players selected for the Under-17 South for us.” American Championships later that year. When asked who he would like to see Flu meet on the pitch, Câmara remains humble “When we came to the tournament last year and honours the opportunity to once again nobody knew us and we went on to become the take part in the Al Kass Cup. “The quality of this champions,” says Klauss Câmara, Flu’s Technical tournament is wonderful so any opponent we Coordinator. “This year we return as defending face will be great for us,” he says. “Participation in champions and are expecting not only a great this competition is very important for our youth tournament, but are hoping to win once again.” academy because it allows our players to learn the soccer culture of other schools and watch The team taking part in this year’s #AlKassCup their styles and adapt it to our own.” already has four players on the Brazilian national Under-17 team, including goalkeeper Filipe Besides the technical learning experience to be Gonçalves dos Santos, central defender Gustavo had by Flu’s players at this year’s tournament, Martini Rissi, forward Ramon de Araújo Siqueira Câmara believes they can learn a few things off and left back Matheus Mascarenhas dos Santos the pitch as well and says, “The Al Kass Cup is also “When we came to the tournament last year nobody knew us and we Raimundo. a great opportunity for our team to learn about then went on to become the champions. This year we return as defending Qatar and the other countries and cultures, which champions…and are hoping to win once again.” Last year’s final saw the Brazilians hold their adds to this already invaluable experience.” nerve in the final penalty shootout as impressive Klauss Câmara, Fluminense Technical Coordinator 13 MON DAY, JANUARY, 2014 7 TOURNAMENT BOSSES CONFIDENT OF “BEST COMPETITION’ YET eam officials and tournament organisers met on professionals yet.” points, qualification will then be decided by a number of Sunday to discuss final preparations ahead of the different factors - including goal difference, goals scored and TAl Kass International Cup, due to begin today. The During the competition, all matches will be regulated even team discipline records. meeting focussed on technical operations, and gave all according to FIFA rules, and will be played at the highly participating clubs the opportunity to familiarise themselves acclaimed Aspire Zone pitches in Doha.