Barcelona legend and Al Sadd skipper Xavi Hernandez has lauded Qatar ‘s historic Asian Cup triumph, saying the country’s football development is ‘on the right track’.
Xavi, who switched from Barcelona to Al Sadd four years ago, said Qatar’s brave football helped them tame Japan in the title clash.
Qatar, who won the final 3-1 at Zayed Sports City Stadium under lights last Friday, produced sensational football to remain unbeaten in seven matches played under coach Felix Sanchez.
“Qatar football is on the right track,” Xavi said in a guest appearances on Al Majlis program broadcast by Al Kass Sport Channel.
“Now you see the results produced by the Qatari team. It is a great team now. I am proud to work with these young players. I am happy to see the performance of the players on the field. I am proud to be here in Qatar,” the 39-year-old added. Xavi said Qatar’s recent results were no freak show from Sanchez’s boys.
“We must remember that Qatar Football Association (QFA) has been preparing this team for years to win this title. The Aspire Academy project is the idea of H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and the idea is now achieving great success. The Qatari fans see the results now,” he added.
“A lot of fans in Spain told me about ‘the football miracle’ that is happening in Qatar. I explain to them that this is no miracle. This (the positive results) is due to the preparation of many years and the great efforts and plans at Aspire Academy.
“What Aspire Academy has done is to prepare a platform for the emergence of players that we currently see on the pitch. And I am here to support such projects,” he added.
A total of 13 players with Aspire Academy background featured in the Qatar’s squad of 22 at the Asian Cup. When not busy with Al Sadd, Xavi can be seen at Aspire Academy offering his inputs on ways and means to develop youth football in Qatar.
“I love football, whether playing or managing. That’s why I’m at Aspire and I’m helping Felix Sanchez on this project. My presence in Qatar is for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. My family and I are happy in this country,” Xavi said about assisting Qatar develop a strong player base.
In December, Xavi made predictions on the outcome of matches in the 2019 Asian Cup.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner with Spain, Xavi predicted Qatar would take on Japan in the title clash that was eventually won by Al Annabi.
“I did not predict Qatar winning the title because I am sympathetic towards Qatar. I knew Qatar would win because I know their potential and because I am very close to the players. I am with them daily. I know the skills of the players and the distinctive style adopted by coach Sanchez,” Xavi explained.
“When I predicted Qatar to win against South Korea, I also knew what the Korean team had in terms of skills, so I picked Qatar,” Xavi said of the Asian Cup quarter-final between Qatar and Korea Republic. Attacking midfielder Bassam Al Rawi converted a second-half direct free-kick to power Qatar to a 1-0 win over the World Cup side.
“When I predicted the final to be between Qatar and Japan, some thought I was defending Qatar and some said I was crazy. But I thought Qatar would win 1-0 against Japan probably via a penalty because Japan is a strong team,” Xavi said.
“For me, Japan and Iran are the strongest teams in Asia but Qatar was the biggest surprise of the tournament.
“I take this opportunity to say Mabrook to everybody in Qatar,” Xavi said with a smile.
