Latest news with #AsianChallengeCup
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar spikers beat Australia ahead of AVC Nations Cup quarter-finals
Tribune News Network Doha Defending champions Qatar warmed up with a 3-0 win over Australia in their 'opening' match of the AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday. Qatar won the three sets against Australia 25-22, 25-21 and 25-22 to top Group B. Raimi (13) and Ibrahim (10) stood out for Al Annabi while Flowerday (10) and Pope (3) excelled for Australia. In the quarter-finals, to be played on June 21, Qatar will meet Vietnam while Australia will face South Korea. Standing at number 24 in the FIVB World Ranking, Qatar are also the highest ranked team among all AVC Nations Cup participants. The Aussies are ranked 33rd. Qatar's scheduled opening match in the tournament was to be against Kazakhstan but it cancelled following the latter's official withdrawal. Qatar decided to maintain the pre-set preparation schedule to avoid any disruption to the team's rhythm or mental focus. Both Qatar and Australia had already advanced automatically to the quarter-finals due to Kazakhstan's withdrawal, making the showdown between the two a decisive step toward the title. The knockout stage is set to begin on June 21, followed by the semi-finals on June 23, and the final on June 24, all taking place at Isa bin Rashid Hall in Riffa. This year's tournament features three groups, with most groups comprising three teams each following Kazakhstan's withdrawal, reducing the total number of participating teams to 11. The top two teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination quarterfinals. Team Qatar enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having won the 2024 edition—also held in Bahrain—when the event was known as the Asian Challenge Cup, following a well-deserved victory over Pakistan in the final. Now, the team is looking to build on that triumph and pursue back-to-back continental titles. The newly rebranded competition, previously known as the AVC Men's Challenge Cup, is an annual continental tournament. In light of recent reforms in the Volleyball Nations League, the AVC Men's Nations Cup now assumes a crucial role. It provides national teams not currently participating in the VNL the chance to gain FIVB Volleyball World Ranking points and potentially secure entry into the top-tier global competition. Moreover, the tournament champions will earn a berth at the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, a key qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and one of the routes to the 2027 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Team Qatar set for Asian Men's Volleyball Cup in Bahrain
QOC Manama Team Qatar are intensifying their preparations in Bahrain for the sixth edition of the Asian Men's Volleyball Cup, which runs through June 24, with high hopes of defending the continental title it won in 2024 and further cementing Qatar's strong presence on the Asian volleyball scene. Under the leadership of Argentine coach Camilo Soto, the team is focusing on boosting both technical and physical readiness. The current phase follows a comprehensive training program that began in Doha, including specialized drills and high-level friendly matches, most notably against Japan—one of Asia's volleyball powerhouses. Although Qatar's scheduled opening match against Kazakhstan was canceled following the latter's official withdrawal from the tournament for personal reasons, the coaching staff opted not to arrange a replacement fixture. Instead, they decided to maintain the pre-set preparation schedule to avoid any disruption to the team's rhythm or mental focus. The decision reflects the squad's strong commitment to achieving optimal readiness ahead of their upcoming clash with Australia on June 19—a match that will likely determine the top spot in Group B. Both Qatar and Australia have already advanced automatically to the quarter-finals due to Kazakhstan's withdrawal, making the showdown between the two a decisive step toward the title. The knockout stage is set to begin on June 21, followed by the semi-finals on June 23, and the final on June 24, all taking place at Isa bin Rashid Hall in Riffa. This year's tournament features three groups, with most groups comprising three teams each following Kazakhstan's withdrawal, reducing the total number of participating teams to 11. The top two teams from each group will advance to the single-elimination quarter-finals. Team Qatar enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having won the 2024 edition—also held in Bahrain—when the event was known as the Asian Challenge Cup, following a well-deserved victory over Pakistan in the final. Now, the team is looking to build on that triumph and pursue back-to-back continental titles.
Daily Tribune
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain and Qatar fly the Arab flag at the rebranded Asian Men's Volleyball Nations Cup
Bahrain and Qatar fly the flag for the Arab world this June as the fifth edition of the Asian Men's Volleyball Nations Cup lands in Manama with a new name, a sharper identity, and growing continental significance. Formerly known as the Asian Challenge Cup, the tournament has undergone a facelift — not just in branding, but in status. It's now being positioned as a key fixture in the Asian Volleyball Confederation's competitive ladder, offering emerging teams a platform to break through on the continental stage. Two Nations, One Mission In a 12-team field dominated by East Asian and Oceania sides, the presence of only two Arab nations—hosts Bahrain and defending champions Qatar—has sharpened regional focus. Between them, they carry not just their own ambitions, but the hopes of a wider volleyball movement across the Arab world. Qatar arrive with the swagger of reigning champions. After lifting the trophy in Bahrain last year, they return with the goal of back-to-back titles, and a squad rich in experience and tactical depth. Grouped with Australia and Kazakhstan, their route to the final won't be easy, but few would bet against them. Bahrain, meanwhile, ride the wave of recent success. Having won the Arab Volleyball Championship earlier this year on home soil, the hosts are eager to channel home-court energy into a deep tournament run. Drawn into Group A alongside Indonesia and Thailand, Bahrain will need to be sharp from the outset. Groups Set The group stage format brings quickfire intensity, with only the strongest advancing into the knockout rounds. The draw has thrown up intriguing matchups and the promise of tightly contested ties. The balance across the groups sets the tone for a highly competitive tournament. East Asian sides — led by South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand — remain the traditional pace-setters, while nations like Pakistan and Australia are expected to offer both physical presence and tactical nous. Tournament on the Rise The Nations Cup may only be in its fifth edition, but the momentum behind it is growing. From its modest eight-team debut in Sri Lanka in 2018, to a record 15-team entry in 2023, and now a rebranded, high-stakes event in 2025, the competition is becoming an essential stop in Asia's volleyball calendar.
Arab Times
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al Arabi's quest for the Asian Challenge Cup continues against Al Seeb
KUWAIT CITY, March 11: Al Arabi will face Al Seeb of Oman at 9:30 pm at the Seeb National Stadium for the second leg of the Asian Challenge Cup quarter-finals (West Zone). In the same round, Turkmenistan's Arkadag will host India's East Bengal. Al Arabi, who won 1-0 in the first leg, is eager to secure a spot in the West Zone final and compete for the coveted Asian title, which has eluded the club. The team enters the match with confidence, bolstered by a strong season and their advantage from the first leg. To progress, Al Arabi only needs to win or draw. The team, which is also in the running for the Zain Premier League title, shares the top spot with Kuwait Club, with six rounds left in the tournament. Coach Nasser Al Shatti has a squad full of talented players across all positions, including key figures like Hassan Hamdan, Ali Khalaf, Jumaa Aboud, Hussein Ashkanani, Bandar Al Salamah, and Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor, along with foreign players Anabo Iwala and Christopher John from Nigeria, Hamza Khaba from Morocco, and Kamil Al Aswad from Bahrain. Al Arabi is also determined to redeem itself after being eliminated by Al Seeb in the 2022 AFC Cup. On the other hand, Al Seeb will look to capitalize on its home advantage and crowd support to take revenge on Al Arabi and knock it out of the tournament. To rally the fans, Al Seeb's president, Shihab bin Tariq, has offered to cover the cost of tickets. The winner of this two-legged tie will face the victor of the matchup between East Bengal and Arkadag, the latter making its AFC debut.
Arab Times
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Fahaheel advances to Crown Prince Cup quarter-finals
KUWAIT CITY, March 9: Al-Fahaheel secured its spot in the quarter-finals of the Crown Prince Cup after defeating Al-Shabab 2-0. With this victory, Al-Fahaheel joined Kuwait, Kazma, Salmiya, and Khaitan in the next round. Meanwhile, the match between Al-Jahra and Al-Jazeera was postponed, along with the clashes between Al-Arabi vs. Al-Sahel and Al-Qadsiya vs. Al-Nasr, due to Al-Arabi's participation in the Asian Challenge Cup and Al-Qadsiya's engagement in the Gulf Champions League. Al-Fahaheel now awaits the winner of the Al-Arabi vs. Al-Sahel match. The game started with an even contest between the two sides, but Al-Shabab suffered a setback when striker Ali Al-Dokhi exited due to injury. In the second half, Al-Fahaheel gradually gained control, with Omar Ali breaking the deadlock by converting a pass from Brazilian Vitor da Silva into the net. Capitalizing on Al-Shabab's defensive weaknesses, Vitor extended Al-Fahaheel's lead in the 75th minute. Despite Al-Shabab's efforts to mount a comeback, Al-Fahaheel maintained its dominance and sealed its place in the next round.
