Japan outclass Qatar in opener

Qatar faces Cuba tomorrow in the second group stage match.

Qatar lost to Japan on the opening day of the 2022 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Ljubljana, Slovenia, yesterday. The tournament being staged in Poland and Slovenia will conclude on September 11.Yesterday, Japan were better as they prevailed over Al Annabi with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 scoreline. Qatar are in Pool B, which also includes World No 1 Brazil, Japan and two-time runners-up Cuba. The national team now faces Cuba tomorrow before their last group match against Brazil on August 30. It is Qatar’s maiden appearance in the tournament, with President of Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) and the West Asian Volleyball Federation Ali bin Ghanem al-Kuwari terming it an historic achievement.  He hoped the team will do well on their debut in the World Championship, saying the federation left no stone unturned in team’s preparation for the major competition.Meanwhile, Qatar were beaten by Bangladesh 0-3 in the second round of of the 21st Asian Men’s U-20 Volleyball Championship in Manama, Bahrain, yesterday.