PSG Champions of the inaugural Al Kass U-17

In a spectacular finale to ten days of relentless battling for the first Under-17 international championship, French side FC Paris Saint-Germain earned their right to the Golden Cup, which was brought down to the field by the Qatar Armed Forces' Paratroopers.

PSG had beaten Juventus after the lines man discounted a goal they scored in the last minute as an offside led to tense penalty kicks that they won 5-4, after three-time Juventus Man of Match Matiello Federico surprised the crowd and his fans by missing the third kick. An earlier match on the same evening over third and fourth places saw Ajax Amsterdam beat Kashima Antlers 1-0.

Chairman of the Al Kass Local Organizing Committee Issa Abdulla al-Hitmi congratulated the winners and the rest of the teams on the eye-opening experience gained during the tournament, which acted as a simulation of the World Cup to the international players.

"Though none of our local or regional teams made it to the finals, I was happy to hear their coaches, after every match, speak of the growth and the improvement they saw," he said. "I am proud that Qatar has been home to the opportunity for these budding talents to experience how football is played on the international stage; whether in pace, technique or strategic tactics everyone here has become a better player than they were before the tournament, and that is what the U-17 is about."

Coaches of the four Arab teams participating agreed. Abdulrahman Arrammal, coach of the U-17 Al Jazira team said, "This tournament has been a great benefit to Al Jazira. It helped us develop our skills and expose our players to big names and to an international tournament."

Arrammal's team had finished in 10th place followed by Egypt’s Al Ahly, while Qatar’s Aspire International and Aspire Qatar finished in the 7th and 8th places respectively.

"This is the first time that the Al Ahly club plays with international teams. Because of that we were able to see our level compared to other teams," said Mamdouh Eid, director of co-ordination and PR for Al Ahly.

The inaugural Al Kass U-17, which marks a new yearly event on the FIFA calendar, was also praised by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and Qatar Stars League in a special letter to the tournament's organizers.

"2012, has been marked by another milestone achievement with the launch of the Al Kass International Cup U-17. Such a tournament has not only become an additional asset to our football legacy in supporting and showcasing the football stars of the future, but it has also given other talents the chance to step up and shine," he remarked.

"We hope that we have extended our football family and have made new friends with whom we shall grow and enjoy this journey together. Who knows; we may see some of the young men as national team players representing their countries in the 2022 FIFA World Cup."