Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
Asian champions Qatar are one point away from making the semi-finals of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. The host nation head into the final Group A match against regional rivals United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Al Annabi have won the Gulf Cup three times, but in 2017 having entered the competition as defending champions, they failed to go past the group stage. The tournament was a baptism of sorts for Felix Sanchez who was just a few months into his job as coach of the national team.
Since then, the Spaniard has led Qatar to a remarkable run in 2019. Prior to a shock opening day loss to Iraq, the Maroons had gone 13 matches unbeaten against Asian opponents.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts have created a lot of chances which proves the strength of the attack, but they have somehow lacked the golden edge so far.
A resounding 6-0 thrashing of Yemen followed on Friday. The expected win over the minnows set Sanchez’s men in a perfect position to qualify for the semi-final alongside Iraq.
Sanchez praised his players’ mentality against Yemen while insisting that maximum points is their target against the UAE, a draw, however, would be enough due to Al Annabi’s superior goal difference.
The mood within the camp would have been lifted as Abdulaziz Hatem trained with the squad on Sunday. The midfielder was forced off on Friday against Yemen due to a shoulder injury.
"We will be playing to win because playing for a draw is dangerous and it will be difficult. It is always important to look for the three points. We respect all teams, and we consider every game as a final for us. We will enter the UAE match with a strong mentality in order to win and qualify, and I say we are still in the competition and we have to respect all teams and prepare well for the next game.
"The game against UAE in the Asian final was different, the competition here is different. We have to prepare a tight plan for a positive outcome,” Sanchez stated after the match against Yemen.
The team’s success has also given the home fans more reasons to throng to the stadium. In the opener over 37,800 fans were recorded at the Khalifa Stadium while almost 30,000 attended the match against Yemen.
"I hope the stadium will be full,” Sanchez said. "We need to have the support of the fans. The fans have supported us and we have to show the spirit to give them more cheers in the next game.”
Al Arabi defender Musaab Khader, who has six caps for the national team, also stressed that the players realise how important the match is.
"We are ready for this game because we are working in training on the coach’s plan and we hope that the three points will be ours. The game will be difficult, and it is important to listen to the coach. All the matches will be like finals for us,” Khader said.
For the UAE however, playing against the Asian champions might be a daunting task but Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk said the Emiratis have a chance. Van Marwijk was appointed after the Emiratis were knocked out in the semi-final of the 2019 Asian Cup by eventual champions Qatar.
"Qatar players have been playing together for years, and this was proven in their performance against Yemen. Our project started months ago with new players, but there is a positive and I know that winning will take us to the next round despite the preference of Qatar,” Van Marwijk said of the hosts.
"We know what we have to do and it is only one – to win this game. If we play like we did in the second half against Iraq, I’m confident we have a chance,” the former midfielder who led The Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final said.
In the other group match, to be played at the same time at the Al Duhail Stadium, Iraq take on a Yemeni side still on the hunt for their first-ever win in the Gulf Cup.How they standGroup A
Nation M W D L GF GA GD Pts
Iraq 2 2 0 0 4 1 3 6
Qatar 2 1 0 1 7 2 5 3
UAE 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
Yemen 2 0 0 2 0 9 -9 0
Doha
Asian champions Qatar are one point away from making the semi-finals of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. The host nation head into the final Group A match against regional rivals United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Al Annabi have won the Gulf Cup three times, but in 2017 having entered the competition as defending champions, they failed to go past the group stage. The tournament was a baptism of sorts for Felix Sanchez who was just a few months into his job as coach of the national team.
Since then, the Spaniard has led Qatar to a remarkable run in 2019. Prior to a shock opening day loss to Iraq, the Maroons had gone 13 matches unbeaten against Asian opponents.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts have created a lot of chances which proves the strength of the attack, but they have somehow lacked the golden edge so far.
A resounding 6-0 thrashing of Yemen followed on Friday. The expected win over the minnows set Sanchez’s men in a perfect position to qualify for the semi-final alongside Iraq.
Sanchez praised his players’ mentality against Yemen while insisting that maximum points is their target against the UAE, a draw, however, would be enough due to Al Annabi’s superior goal difference.
The mood within the camp would have been lifted as Abdulaziz Hatem trained with the squad on Sunday. The midfielder was forced off on Friday against Yemen due to a shoulder injury.
"We will be playing to win because playing for a draw is dangerous and it will be difficult. It is always important to look for the three points. We respect all teams, and we consider every game as a final for us. We will enter the UAE match with a strong mentality in order to win and qualify, and I say we are still in the competition and we have to respect all teams and prepare well for the next game.
"The game against UAE in the Asian final was different, the competition here is different. We have to prepare a tight plan for a positive outcome,” Sanchez stated after the match against Yemen.
The team’s success has also given the home fans more reasons to throng to the stadium. In the opener over 37,800 fans were recorded at the Khalifa Stadium while almost 30,000 attended the match against Yemen.
"I hope the stadium will be full,” Sanchez said. "We need to have the support of the fans. The fans have supported us and we have to show the spirit to give them more cheers in the next game.”
Al Arabi defender Musaab Khader, who has six caps for the national team, also stressed that the players realise how important the match is.
"We are ready for this game because we are working in training on the coach’s plan and we hope that the three points will be ours. The game will be difficult, and it is important to listen to the coach. All the matches will be like finals for us,” Khader said.
For the UAE however, playing against the Asian champions might be a daunting task but Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk said the Emiratis have a chance. Van Marwijk was appointed after the Emiratis were knocked out in the semi-final of the 2019 Asian Cup by eventual champions Qatar.
"Qatar players have been playing together for years, and this was proven in their performance against Yemen. Our project started months ago with new players, but there is a positive and I know that winning will take us to the next round despite the preference of Qatar,” Van Marwijk said of the hosts.
"We know what we have to do and it is only one – to win this game. If we play like we did in the second half against Iraq, I’m confident we have a chance,” the former midfielder who led The Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final said.
In the other group match, to be played at the same time at the Al Duhail Stadium, Iraq take on a Yemeni side still on the hunt for their first-ever win in the Gulf Cup.How they standGroup A
Nation M W D L GF GA GD Pts
Iraq 2 2 0 0 4 1 3 6
Qatar 2 1 0 1 7 2 5 3
UAE 2 1 0 1 3 2 1 3
Yemen 2 0 0 2 0 9 -9 0