Qatari players during a training session.
Doha: Coach Felix Sanchez is seeking a team effort for Qatar’s virtual quarter-final against arch-rivals UAE when the two sides meet tomorrow in their third and last preliminary round match of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup at Khalifa International Stadium.
Sanchez, who saw his side lose to Iraq 1-2 in the opening clash last Tuesday, on Friday saw his players returning to form with a crushing 6-0 victory over Yemen in their second Group A match at the iconic FIFA World Cup 2022 venue.
Qatar will take on the UAE in what will be a repeat clash from this year’s Asian Cup semi-final, which Sanchez’s side won 4-1 before clinching the title.
“We need all players to do well,” Sanchez said at a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“It’s like playing the final so winning this game is the only way we are thinking of right now. We want to reach the semi-finals,” the Spaniard added.
On Friday key defender Abdelkarim Hassan struck a hat-trick while team-mates Almoez Ali (58), midfielder Abdullah Alahrak (85) and feared striker Akram Afif (89) also got their names on the scorers’ list against Yemen.
“We need to be ready for our next match,” coach Sanchez said indicating he may miss players on account of injuries.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (left) and defender Musab Khader during a press conference yesterday.
“I also have to see some medical reports of the injured players and depending on the readiness of the players, we will decide on the playing XI,” Sanchez added.
He admitted it was a relief to see his players find the net against Yemen.
“The players did the work well and now we are in a more comfortable position,” Sanchez said.
“Before our match (against Yemen) I knew we had to score big to win the match,” he added.
“We are playing to win because playing for a draw is dangerous and it will be difficult because it is important to look for the three points,” Sanchez said when asked if his team would be satisfied with a draw.
“I hope the stadium will be full of football,” Sanchez said yesterday. “We have to have the support of the fans. We have seen every time the field is full and we have to show sportsmanship in the next game,” he added.
Qatari defender Musab Khader said yesterday: “We are ready for this game because at every moment we are working to implement the coach’s plan, and we hope to win the match get three points.” Musab added: ‘The game will be difficult. But I feel it is important to listen to the coach’s advice. For us, every match now is a like a final.”
Bert van Marwijk, the UAE coach, sounded wary of Qatar’s strength.
“Qatar has players who have been playing for years with each other, and this is evident in their performance against Yemen,” Van Marwijk said at a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“Our project started months ago with new players, but there is a positive development despite the short preparation period,” the Dutchman added.
“We know what we have to do,” he said confidently.
UAE coach Bert van Marwijk during a separate pre-match press conference.
“Preparation for this game began yesterday after the match with Iraq. But would not train enough because there was not enough time to prepare even before the start of the tournament,” the 66-year-old said.
The UAE coach added: “Our performance in the first half against Iraq was bad, but the performance improved in the second half. If we play the same pattern against Qatar we will win.”
As for the performance of the players in the eight-team tournament, Van Marwijk said: “Abdullah Ramadan played well against Iraq and he is still young. Mohammed Al Attas is starting to recover and he is ready for the game. Mental preparation is very important and it is the basis of a good preparation.
“We are here for good play and good results. We have to win all the games, but that is the beginning of a young team,” Van Marwijk said.
When asked if he considered quitting his job, the Dutchman said: “I am here to talk about facing Qatar and not to talk about my future.”
UAE player Mohammed Al Attas said: “It is the most important game for both teams but we will be playing to win.”
