tribune news network
DOHA
Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has said that the Asian Cup 2019 is target for his talented youthful side with the ultimate goal having the team ready for the 2022 World Cup on home soil.
As hosts of the next edition of the FIFA World Cup, all eyes will be on the country’s performances ahead of the 2022 mundial. Sanchez’s first task is to prove their status among the best teams in Asia following an impressive third place finish at the AFC U23 Championship China 2018 in January.
"The AFC Asian Cup is one of the titles we are looking for and the players have prepared well,” he said.
"It’s a great challenge, but we have a bunch of very talented players.
"Our long-term goal, of course, is to be ready to fight at home at the World Cup in 2022, and playing at the Copa America next year is also part of that.
"Doing well at the AFC Asian Cup is a personal challenge, especially after we did so well at the AFC U23 Championship in China at the start of the year.
"The Asian Cup is an event for us to show where we stand in Asia.”
Qatar, who have been drawn to face Lebanon, DPR Korea and three-time winners Saudi Arabia in Group E, will kick off their campaign in Al Ain on January 9 against the Lebanese and Sanchez is refusing to look beyond the meeting at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
"Right now we are only looking at the first match,” he said. "We respect our competitors but we are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
"We will be focusing on one game at a time. All the teams offer a different challenge. We are well aware of our challenges and how we have to tackle them.”
Qatar have been impressive in their friendlies including victories over Switzerland, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan and a decent 2-2 draw against Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Iceland but suffered a minor disappointment against Algeria in their latest friendly last Thursday, with the loss being the team’s first in five games.
"We played the friendly matches to help the players get into the right frame of mind and valuable match practice,” said Sanchez.
"We have got to see the fitness levels of our players and their overall form (in the friendly matches). Playing matches always help the players. The players have shown their commitment on the pitch.
Qatar’s defence will be boosted by the presence of Abdulkarim Hassan, who was named 2018 AFC Asian Player of the Year.
While, the team’s key player for the tournament will be no other than playmaker Akram Afif. The 21-year-old first burst into the scene in 2014, leading Qatar to win the AFC U19 Championship.
Capable of playing centrally or on either flank, Afif currently plies his trade at Al Sadd. His tally of 11 goals from 34 appearances is certainly going to be bettered if the youngster finds his rhythm in the continental showpiece.
DOHA
Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has said that the Asian Cup 2019 is target for his talented youthful side with the ultimate goal having the team ready for the 2022 World Cup on home soil.
As hosts of the next edition of the FIFA World Cup, all eyes will be on the country’s performances ahead of the 2022 mundial. Sanchez’s first task is to prove their status among the best teams in Asia following an impressive third place finish at the AFC U23 Championship China 2018 in January.
"The AFC Asian Cup is one of the titles we are looking for and the players have prepared well,” he said.
"It’s a great challenge, but we have a bunch of very talented players.
"Our long-term goal, of course, is to be ready to fight at home at the World Cup in 2022, and playing at the Copa America next year is also part of that.
"Doing well at the AFC Asian Cup is a personal challenge, especially after we did so well at the AFC U23 Championship in China at the start of the year.
"The Asian Cup is an event for us to show where we stand in Asia.”
Qatar, who have been drawn to face Lebanon, DPR Korea and three-time winners Saudi Arabia in Group E, will kick off their campaign in Al Ain on January 9 against the Lebanese and Sanchez is refusing to look beyond the meeting at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
"Right now we are only looking at the first match,” he said. "We respect our competitors but we are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
"We will be focusing on one game at a time. All the teams offer a different challenge. We are well aware of our challenges and how we have to tackle them.”
Qatar have been impressive in their friendlies including victories over Switzerland, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan and a decent 2-2 draw against Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Iceland but suffered a minor disappointment against Algeria in their latest friendly last Thursday, with the loss being the team’s first in five games.
"We played the friendly matches to help the players get into the right frame of mind and valuable match practice,” said Sanchez.
"We have got to see the fitness levels of our players and their overall form (in the friendly matches). Playing matches always help the players. The players have shown their commitment on the pitch.
Qatar’s defence will be boosted by the presence of Abdulkarim Hassan, who was named 2018 AFC Asian Player of the Year.
While, the team’s key player for the tournament will be no other than playmaker Akram Afif. The 21-year-old first burst into the scene in 2014, leading Qatar to win the AFC U19 Championship.
Capable of playing centrally or on either flank, Afif currently plies his trade at Al Sadd. His tally of 11 goals from 34 appearances is certainly going to be bettered if the youngster finds his rhythm in the continental showpiece.