Qatar’s Abdulaziz Hatem Mohamed (third left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal during their Tri-nation Friendly Tournament match played in Basra, Iraq on Saturday.
BASRA: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has termed his team’s performance in Iraq as ‘satisfactory, saying the ‘young players’ in the side gave their 100 percent in matches against Iraq and Syria at the International Friendship Tournament.
The three-nation tournament is being organised by Iraq Football Association (IFA) to celebrate the return of football on Iraqi soil.
Qatar beat Iraq 3-2 in the opening game followed by a 2-2 draw against Syria on Saturday.
Akram Afif scored three goals in the two matches as Qatar impressed with attacking football.
“In general, I am satisfied with what the team has done in the two matches they have played in this tournament. A victory and a fighting draw are good results,” Sanchez said after the 2-2 draw against Syria.
“We played a strong game after conceding the opening goal. We scored the equaliser and then we also took the lead but the Syrians managed to equalise and the game ended in a draw,” Sanchez said.
“We played the tournament with young players but this did not affect our performances. They gave a good show and we got positive results. We were close to winning the second game also I am happy with the performance of the players. I am happy with what they have provided on the pitch and that confirms that we are going well.
“I spoke with the players before the Syria match and I said I was looking for the 100 percent commitment. I made several changes to the playing XI. I had to do that because injury to a few players,” Sanchez said.
“I have 21 players in the squad. I trust them and faith in their abilities,” Sanchez said. “I think all the players in the team and those who were on the bench have done well. Any player who proves his worth will get a chance to play. There are other positives that we have to look at like scoring five goals in two matches,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the team needs to look at reducing mistakes that cost goals being scored by the opposition.
“Overall, we played 180 minutes well and managed to control the matches, We will look to play more friendly matches in order to get ready for the 2019 Asian Cup,” said the Al Annabi coach.
Syria’s coach Bernd Stang said: “Qatar plays in a style that is more of the European school. They have good players such as Abdul Karim Hassan and Hassan Al Haydos in addition to the presence of a number of young players on the bench.”
