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IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
Having dedicated their mercurial Asian Cup 2019 triumph and the trophy to the Qatari people and all residents of Qatar, the players, coach, staff and officials of Al Annabi contingent arrived to a royal welcome at the Doha old airport on Saturday.
Qatar remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and beat four-time champions Japan 3-1 in Friday’s final in Abu Dhabi.
The team scored 19 goals in the process and conceded just one against losing
finalists Japan.
The joy of the wonderful triumph reflected on the faces of the players as they beamed with pride being accorded a floral welcome by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
Record goal-scorer and best player of the tournament Almoez Ali, whose nine goals have earned him a place in the history book as the man with the most goals in a single tournament, said: “I am happy for the reception and the presence of the Amir to welcome the team. We are happy for our success and I congratulate all the people of Qatar for this historic moment.”
Hassan al Haydos, the captain of the national team, expressed great satisfaction on the victory, saying that his feelings and those of his colleagues are indescribable after the historic title.
Qatar’s impressive performances throughout the tournament was distinguished and included the presence of the best scorer, and the best playmaker.
Abdulaziz Hatem, whose stunning goal in the final gave Qatar a two-goal
cushion said, “I am proud of our achievement of winning the Asian Cup and there’s no word to describe it as but amazing.”
Karim Boudiaf said the team’s belief to win the Asian Cup increased after they reached the semi-finals to face the United Arab Emirates. “We knew we had a shot at the title when we reached the last four and were confident of beating the UAE in the semis. The rest is history as we marched into the final beating Japan convincingly to win the trophy.
“We’re excited about the reception and happy to win the trophy for Qatar,” he added.
Defender Pedro Miguel said the team winning the Asian Cup was no surprise because the players were primed for success.
“Our preparation for the tournament was great and the coach did his work for the players to perfect tactics. So we were ready to compete and it paid off in every match we played.
“I am not surprised we won because we deserve everything we have gotten,” he added.
Tarek Salman, who started in all of Qatar’s matches in the tournament said, “It’s a very, very big thing for our country. It’s history. It’s the first time for our country to achieve this historic victory.
“I am excited and proud to win the Asian Cup with my team and coach who has been with the team for a long time,” said the defender.
A delighted coach Felix Sanchez described Al Annabi’s success as magical.
The former U19 youth coach who took over the national team job after the exit of Jorge Fossati in 2017 said, “I am excited about the team’s deserved success and I congratulate the players for their success. We are proud of what we have achieved and the reception here at the airport is magical.”
Saad al Sheeb, who was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the tournament, said that the team deserved to win the title after showing best levels among all the teams participating in the tournament and winning against big teams like Iraq, Saudi and South Korean teams, besides beating the hosts UAE.Players dedicate Asian Cup 2019 triumph
to the people and residents of Qatar
Doha
Having dedicated their mercurial Asian Cup 2019 triumph and the trophy to the Qatari people and all residents of Qatar, the players, coach, staff and officials of Al Annabi contingent arrived to a royal welcome at the Doha old airport on Saturday.
Qatar remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and beat four-time champions Japan 3-1 in Friday’s final in Abu Dhabi.
The team scored 19 goals in the process and conceded just one against losing
finalists Japan.
The joy of the wonderful triumph reflected on the faces of the players as they beamed with pride being accorded a floral welcome by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
Record goal-scorer and best player of the tournament Almoez Ali, whose nine goals have earned him a place in the history book as the man with the most goals in a single tournament, said: “I am happy for the reception and the presence of the Amir to welcome the team. We are happy for our success and I congratulate all the people of Qatar for this historic moment.”
Hassan al Haydos, the captain of the national team, expressed great satisfaction on the victory, saying that his feelings and those of his colleagues are indescribable after the historic title.
Qatar’s impressive performances throughout the tournament was distinguished and included the presence of the best scorer, and the best playmaker.
Abdulaziz Hatem, whose stunning goal in the final gave Qatar a two-goal
cushion said, “I am proud of our achievement of winning the Asian Cup and there’s no word to describe it as but amazing.”
Karim Boudiaf said the team’s belief to win the Asian Cup increased after they reached the semi-finals to face the United Arab Emirates. “We knew we had a shot at the title when we reached the last four and were confident of beating the UAE in the semis. The rest is history as we marched into the final beating Japan convincingly to win the trophy.
“We’re excited about the reception and happy to win the trophy for Qatar,” he added.
Defender Pedro Miguel said the team winning the Asian Cup was no surprise because the players were primed for success.
“Our preparation for the tournament was great and the coach did his work for the players to perfect tactics. So we were ready to compete and it paid off in every match we played.
“I am not surprised we won because we deserve everything we have gotten,” he added.
Tarek Salman, who started in all of Qatar’s matches in the tournament said, “It’s a very, very big thing for our country. It’s history. It’s the first time for our country to achieve this historic victory.
“I am excited and proud to win the Asian Cup with my team and coach who has been with the team for a long time,” said the defender.
A delighted coach Felix Sanchez described Al Annabi’s success as magical.
The former U19 youth coach who took over the national team job after the exit of Jorge Fossati in 2017 said, “I am excited about the team’s deserved success and I congratulate the players for their success. We are proud of what we have achieved and the reception here at the airport is magical.”
Saad al Sheeb, who was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the tournament, said that the team deserved to win the title after showing best levels among all the teams participating in the tournament and winning against big teams like Iraq, Saudi and South Korean teams, besides beating the hosts UAE.Players dedicate Asian Cup 2019 triumph
to the people and residents of Qatar
