Qatari players take part in a practice session on the eve of their opening match of the AFC U-19 Championship against the United Arab Emirates in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday. Picture: Fadi Al Assaad
Jakarta: Former champions Qatar will be looking to kick off their AFC U-19 Championship campaign on a positive note when they take on arch rivals UAE in the Group A league encounter today.
Coach Bruno Pinheiro’s boys will be looking for a repeat of 2014, when Qatar won the Under-19 continental title.
“I think that all the teams here in Indonesia have exactly the same ambitions, that is to win the title,” Pinheiro said one the eve of the match.
“We are ready to compete and of course we want to go as far as possible. The players are ready, and we believe in ourselves. We have a group (of players) that has big ambitions, works very hard and produces good football,” he added.
Pinheiro said his team is focused and keen to get off to the best possible start.
“Naturally, the first game is always important as (a defeat) can absolutely affect the confidence of the players, but they are focused and determined to go far,” added Pinheiro.
Pinheiro’s opposite number, Ludovic Batelli, added that a place at next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup – on offer to all the semi-finalists in Indonesia – was also a priority for the Emiratis as they chase a first title since 2008.
“We are here to qualify for the World Cup, that is everyone’s objective,” said the Frenchman.
“We have prepared very well and as it is the first match there is no real pressure. We will try to play our own style and get the best possible result,” added Batelli.
Elsewhere, hosts Indonesia are targeting a place in the semi-finals and will eye full points when they meet Chinese Taipei today in the other Group A match.
Head coach Indra Sjafri said that Indonesia aim to book one of the four places up for grabs from Asia and qualify for the Under-20 World Cup.
Despite featuring in 16 previous editions of the competition, Indonesia’s one and only title success came as far back as 1961, and their last appearance four years ago failed to produce a single point.
Nevertheless, with passionate home support expected at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Sjafri believes a place in the last four is now not beyond his young charges.
“We are ready to do our very best and improve on what we did in 2014,” declared the 55-year-old.
Chinese Taipei head coach Vom Ca Nhum heads into the game looking forward to the challenge that awaits his side.
“We are very happy to be here as it has been 44 years since we have qualified for this tournament,” he said.
