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Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
With eyes fixed on a fourth Arabian Gulf Cup crown, hosts Qatar will kick-off the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign against Iraq in the region’s biggest football show at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Al Annabi are in Group A with Iraq, Yemen and the UAE. Group B comprises of reigning champions Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Asian champions, obviously overwhelming favourites will have to play like the underdogs just like they did earlier this year at the Asian Cup in the UAE.
The bulk of the squad are still intact with Hassan al Haydos, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and co still the face of the team despite coach Felix Sanchez’s recent introduction of more young and enterprising players. The Barcelona-born tactician highlighted that it was a difficult task to trim the squad to 23 players which in itself should speak for the squad’s strength.
However, a string of tough wins in the Asian Qualifiers, mostly highlighted in the recent 1-0 win over Afghanistan might have put a dent on the team perceived ‘invincibility’ having gone 13 matches unbeaten against Asian opponents since the start of 2019.
Against a depleted Iraq team, which has only 11 outfield players, Sanchez noted that a convincing win on Tuesday will do the team’s confidence a lot of good.
“The Asian Cup victory has put us in this position and it’s good to have that pressure, just like we did at Copa America . But this is a different tournament and the Asian Cup is over, we have to start from scratch.
“We will play against the UAE, who have a new coach, and Yemen have a good team too. So we need to have three good games to reach the semi-final
“The Iraqis are strong with quality players. A good start against them is very important. It’s not that if we win tomorrow, we will go on to win the tournament or not, but a good match gives you a good feeling for the games to follow,” Sanchez said on Monday.
The Spaniard’s first real test as Qatar coach came in the last Gulf Cup where the team bowed out after the group stage. Having extended his contract as head coach until the 2022 World Cup, Sanchez believes playing in tournaments like the Gulf Cup is important for the team’s growth, especially in front of the
home fans.
“In order to prepare for the World Cup we must play such matches. After the qualifier against Afghanistan, we have been preparing for the Gulf Championship and playing in Doha in these competitions is important – with the support of the Qatari fans, we hope this will motivate us more,” he said.
Also, the captain and the most-capped player Al Haydos said the opener won’t be easy but the team have proved they can cope in difficult matches.
“Preparation for the Gulf Cup started a while back and we have been playing together for a long time. Iraq won’t be easy but we have also had some difficult games before.
“We believe in team work and the national team success is more important than scoring goals. We want to bring joy to our fans again after the Asian Cup,” the 28-year-old Al Sadd man said.
Iraq on the other hand are battling to get up to speed with just 11 players available due to a number of players involved in Al Shorta’s Arab Club Championship in Mauritania. Coach Srecko Katanec lamented the team’s preparations but remains optimistic of a positive showing.
“I have 11 players and two goalkeepers, so I’d like to say the preparations have been going well,” Katanec said. “I don’t know what will happen but I will give opportunities to the players I have and hopefully they will surprise me, they need to take the chance.”
“I know we are playing a top team with top organisation, but in football even in a bad situation, you still expect something. That’s the beauty of football,” the former Slovenia international added.
Doha
With eyes fixed on a fourth Arabian Gulf Cup crown, hosts Qatar will kick-off the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign against Iraq in the region’s biggest football show at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Al Annabi are in Group A with Iraq, Yemen and the UAE. Group B comprises of reigning champions Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Asian champions, obviously overwhelming favourites will have to play like the underdogs just like they did earlier this year at the Asian Cup in the UAE.
The bulk of the squad are still intact with Hassan al Haydos, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and co still the face of the team despite coach Felix Sanchez’s recent introduction of more young and enterprising players. The Barcelona-born tactician highlighted that it was a difficult task to trim the squad to 23 players which in itself should speak for the squad’s strength.
However, a string of tough wins in the Asian Qualifiers, mostly highlighted in the recent 1-0 win over Afghanistan might have put a dent on the team perceived ‘invincibility’ having gone 13 matches unbeaten against Asian opponents since the start of 2019.
Against a depleted Iraq team, which has only 11 outfield players, Sanchez noted that a convincing win on Tuesday will do the team’s confidence a lot of good.
“The Asian Cup victory has put us in this position and it’s good to have that pressure, just like we did at Copa America . But this is a different tournament and the Asian Cup is over, we have to start from scratch.
“We will play against the UAE, who have a new coach, and Yemen have a good team too. So we need to have three good games to reach the semi-final
“The Iraqis are strong with quality players. A good start against them is very important. It’s not that if we win tomorrow, we will go on to win the tournament or not, but a good match gives you a good feeling for the games to follow,” Sanchez said on Monday.
The Spaniard’s first real test as Qatar coach came in the last Gulf Cup where the team bowed out after the group stage. Having extended his contract as head coach until the 2022 World Cup, Sanchez believes playing in tournaments like the Gulf Cup is important for the team’s growth, especially in front of the
home fans.
“In order to prepare for the World Cup we must play such matches. After the qualifier against Afghanistan, we have been preparing for the Gulf Championship and playing in Doha in these competitions is important – with the support of the Qatari fans, we hope this will motivate us more,” he said.
Also, the captain and the most-capped player Al Haydos said the opener won’t be easy but the team have proved they can cope in difficult matches.
“Preparation for the Gulf Cup started a while back and we have been playing together for a long time. Iraq won’t be easy but we have also had some difficult games before.
“We believe in team work and the national team success is more important than scoring goals. We want to bring joy to our fans again after the Asian Cup,” the 28-year-old Al Sadd man said.
Iraq on the other hand are battling to get up to speed with just 11 players available due to a number of players involved in Al Shorta’s Arab Club Championship in Mauritania. Coach Srecko Katanec lamented the team’s preparations but remains optimistic of a positive showing.
“I have 11 players and two goalkeepers, so I’d like to say the preparations have been going well,” Katanec said. “I don’t know what will happen but I will give opportunities to the players I have and hopefully they will surprise me, they need to take the chance.”
“I know we are playing a top team with top organisation, but in football even in a bad situation, you still expect something. That’s the beauty of football,” the former Slovenia international added.
