Representatives of the participating teams posing for a photograph with the officials of the Organising Committee during a technical meeting held in Doha yesterday, ahead of the 2020 Al Kass International Cup.
Doha: Three-time winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will be looking for a winning start against Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol in the opening Group B match of the Al Kass International Cup which kicks off today at the Aspire Academy grounds.
PSG and Kashiwa Reysol youth teams are among some of the world’s most famous clubs which will feature in the Under-17 tournament. The opening match of the tournament is a repeat of the 2018 final, which the French giants won.
The 12-day football extravaganza will take place on pitches four and five at Aspire’s state-of-the-art facility.
The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups and will be bidding for glory, with the group winners making it to the next stage.
Apart from PSG, much focus will also be on Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona are making their third appearance in the competition and will be looking to add their name to an impressive roll of honour.
Arch-rivals Real Madrid, winners in 2017, are in Group D along with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and Sporting Club de Portugal and will be looking for their second win in Qatar. Scottish outfit Glasgow Rangers seek to retain the trophy they won in impressive style last year.
The Scots, inspired by youth internationals Kai Kennedy and Nathan Young-Coombes, edged out Roma on penalties to lift the trophy 12 months ago, but they will have to be at their best to repeat that success.
In this year’s edition they are placed in Group A along with Aspire Academy, who carry hopes of a local victory at the championship. They take on Suwon Samsung in today’s second match.
Group C teams consisting of FC Internazionale Milano, Altinordu FK and Mohammed VI Football Academy complete the line-up.
