FIFA U-20 World Cup: Al Annabi positive ahead of second Group game
Published: 27 May 2019 - 08:20 am | Last Updated: 02 Nov 2021 - 01:22 pm
Qatari U-20 players taking part in a training session in Tychy, Poland. PICTURE: @QFA/TWITTER
Qatar will take on Ukraine in a crucial clash today in their second match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
On Friday, Nigeria beat Qatar 4-0 while Ukraine edged past the US 2-1 in the opening matches of the 24-team event for the Group D sides.
Today, in another Group D match, Nigeria face the US and the ‘Flying Eagles’ could book their berth in the round of 16 with a victory.
Coached by Bruno Miguel, Qatar conceded two goals in each half on Friday to arrive for the Ukraine clash seeking their first points.
On Friday, coach Miguel said his team’s fighting spirit was the positive he was looking from the young Qatar players.
“We played against Nigeria who are one of the best teams in the World Cup,” Miguel said.
“We still have two matches to go. We fought well and our fighting spirit was good,” he added.
“You have to attack and defend at the same time. Nobody thinks this is an easy tournament. It is tough and we can learn so much,” Miguel, 42, said in an interview broadcast on beIN sports.
“We did not stop attacking despite the fact that we conceded goals. We remained positive and that is important,” the Qatari coach said three days ago.
Qatar arrived in Poland after undergoing training camps in France and Slovakia, playing several practice matches.
Qatar forward Yousif Abdulrasaq yesterday said his team remains focused to get their first win of the tournament.
“I know we will fight in our remaining group matches. Our coaching staff is trying their best to work with the boys ahead of the next two matches,” Abdulrasaq said.
“We want to reach the next round of the tournament and for that to happen, we must win the next two matches,” the centre forward added.
Meanwhile, wins today for Nigeria and Ukraine will take then to the knockout stage with a round to spare.
In Group C matches today, Uruguay (after a 3-1 win over Norway in the opener) and New Zealand (5-0 over Honduras) could secure their spots in the Round of 16 with wins over Honduras and Norway respectively.
While those four are eyeing up their Round-of-16 tickets, that does not mean the end of the road for the others, even if they suffer a second defeat.
The tournament’s 24-team format allows the four best third-placed countries from the groups to also progress.
