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."

VIDEO: Bayern Munich score 13 goals in friendly!

In a short notice organised friendly on Thursday, January 5 against Qatari second Division side Al-Sailiya SC at the Aspire Sports Complex FC Bayern Munich scored a impressive 13-0 win in their first match of the year.

Here are all the 13 goals put together in a match report by FCB.tv

Bayern Munich arrive in Qatar, prepare for India friendly

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich landed in Doha, Qatar on Monday, January 2 afternoon for their week-long mid-season training camp ahead of the friendly against the Indian national team at the Audi Football Summit in New Delhi.

FC Bayern are staying at the Grand Heritage hotel, which is part of the beautiful Aspire Sports Complex in Doha, an unbelievable world class sporting facility. FC Bayern had their first feel of beautiful lush green on Tuesday morning and while they where training on one pitch, the adjacent field was being used by French Ligue 1 leaders FC Paris Saint-Germain and from Wednesday onwards Bundesliga rivals FC Schalke 04 will also join them in Doha.

FC Bayern were supposed to come with a 24 players squad to Doha, but the Brazilian Rafinha was delayed by a day due to visa problems and joined the squad on Tuesday evening. Otherwise the 23 players were seen in action amongst them midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had his first full team training session after his collar bone fracture in early-November and in good news for his Indian fans, Schweinsteiger will be seen in action in Delhi on January 10 as per coach Jupp Heynckes.

Meanwhile Jupp Heynckes was in a jovial mood in his interaction with the media. They took great interest in the season so far, his thought about some of his players and the May 19 UEFA Champions League final in Munich. But seasoned coach Heynckes said, "I am mainly focused on the upcoming matches in the Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Champions League then in February, March and April you have to have substance to succeed in the big matches towards the end of the season."


More information about the match and where to buy tickets online are available at www.audifootballsummit.in

The official Twitter account of the Audi Football Summit can be found under www.twitter.com/AudiFS2012 .

FC Bayern Munich start journey to Qatar & India

German record league champions FC Bayern Munich start their preparations for the return-leg (second phase) of the German Bundesliga tomorrow with a week long training camp in Qatar and a visit to New Delhi for friendly match against India on January 10.

The clubs players had 12 days of holiday and rest over the christmas and new year period, now the preparations start in full earnest. A squad of 24 players will leave for Doha tomorrow morning from Munich for a week long camp in the Aspire Academy, one of the best training facilities in the world.

Coach Jupp Heynckes and his team will try and set to base to regain the Bundesliga title, which restarts on January 20 with a match against old rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Bavarians still have the chance to win three titles - UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.

But it isn't only about training for Heynckes and his men. FC Bayern will take on Egyptian giants Al Ahli at the Al Sadd Stadium, Doha on January 7, while on their way back Bayern Munich will visit New Delhi to play a friendly match against Team India at the Audi Football Summit which is the international farewell match for Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia.


More information about the India vs Bayern Munich match and where to buy tickets online are available at www.audifootballsummit.in

The official Twitter account of the Audi Football Summit can be found under www.twitter.com/AudiFS2012 .