Sanya : Qatar’s national beach handball team secured a place in the semi-finals of the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 after defeating Thailand 2-0 (26-20, 22-20) on Sunday in the group stage. With this win, Qatar moved to the top of Group B with 12 points, following a strong contest between the two sides who had entered the match level on 10 points from five wins each.
The victory confirmed Qatar’s dominance in the group stage, as the team successfully overcame its strongest rival to claim top spot and continue its positive run toward the knockout rounds.
Qatar has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, beginning with wins over Pakistan and Oman, followed by victories against Bangladesh and Mongolia, before defeating Jordan in their fifth match.
The team was placed in a tough group alongside Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Mongolia, making qualification highly competitive. However, Qatar maintained consistent performance levels, supported by the experience and cohesion of its players.
Qatar will conclude its group stage matches against Maldives on Monday before heading into the semi-finals on Tuesday, with the final scheduled for Thursday. The team aims to continue its strong form and retain the title.
Team manager Salem Mohammed Al Dosari praised the victory over Thailand, noting the challenging conditions and high temperatures. He commended the efforts of the players, coaching staff, and medical team, particularly in overcoming injuries.
