The Qatari beach volleyball team, featuring Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, has made a significant impact at the Doha 2026 Asian Beach Volleyball Tour, advancing to the quarterfinals with outstanding performances. Competing at the International Beach Volleyball Center of Excellence in Al Gharafa, the duo showcased their prowess by finishing first in Group A, securing three consecutive victories without dropping a single set.
Impressive Start to the Tournament
Younousse and Tijan began their campaign with a commanding straight-sets win against Thailand’s Nalphadon and Puravich, finishing the match with scores of 21-15 and 21-19. Their winning streak continued as they faced China’s Li Wei and Yuan Ningfei next, where they again triumphed in straight sets, concluding the match at 21-9 and 21-15. Following that, the Qatari team faced Indonesia’s Firza and Rizki, sealing their perfect group stage performance with a decisive victory of 21-13 and 21-9.
Path to Quarterfinals
The remarkable ability of Younousse and Tijan to dominate their matches has paved a promising path towards the title as they head into the quarterfinals. Their skillful execution on the sand illustrates not only their preparation but also their potential to secure the championship in Doha. Completing the group stage unbeaten, the duo demonstrated impressive teamwork and synergy, further positioning them as strong contenders in the tournament.
Recent Achievements and Recognition
The ascent of Younousse and Tijan in the world of beach volleyball comes on the heels of multiple recent triumphs. The duo made headlines by clinching gold at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, marking their third consecutive title after victories in Jakarta and Palembang in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2022. Adding to their accolades, they also secured gold at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games in China and were recognized as Asia’s Best Men’s Beach Volleyball Players for the 2025-2026 season.
Challenges for Other Qatari Teams
While Younousse and Tijan soar in their pursuits, the other Qatari teams experienced a different outcome. Qatar 2, consisting of Mousa Al-Khair and Mohammed Ehab, faced tough competition in the group stage, bowing out after straight-set defeats to Australia’s Oliver Merritt and Jade Walker, as well as China’s Li Xiaokai and Sun Xinglong. Similarly, Qatar 3, represented by Saif Al Din Al Majid and Mahmoud Essam, also struggled, with two setbacks in three-set formats, suffering losses to Indonesia’s Imam and Firouz and Thailand’s Nittithorn and Watcharawut.
The contrasting performances among the Qatari teams underscore the challenges and expectations within the sport. With Younousse and Tijan leading with 4,660 points, their high hopes for the upcoming matches are supported by a blend of experience and previous results on both international and continental stages.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Qatari duo as they strive for glory and aim to add to their impressive list of achievements in beach volleyball.