WATCH: Qatar ready for the game of their lives against Iraq in the AFC Asian Cup pre-quarters
Qatar has been doing quite well at the quadrennial AFC Asian Cup, currently underway in the UAE.
The Al Annabi has been in great form at the tournament, remaining unbeaten to top their group before setting up a knock-out clash against 2007 Asian champions Iraq. They had beaten Lebanon (2-0), North Korea (6-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-0) en-route to the last-16 clash.
Photos from the press conference ahead of Qatar’s AFC Asian Cup clash against Iraq, which will take place on Tuesday. #AFCAsianCup2019 #Qatar #Iraq @QFA pic.twitter.com/JgtSMBB0MN
— Alkass Digital (@alkassdigital) January 21, 2019
Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez has said that the country will ‘play hard’ football against Iraq today, reported Gulf Times.
“We’ll play hard. Our aim is to win and to do that, we’ve to play our best because our opponents are strong. Our team is riding high on confidence. This is like the final. To win the match is our goal,” Sanchez said, during a pre-game Press conference.
“It was wonderful to see the team win three matches while playing quality football. But now we forget those results because to ensure we emerge victorious, we must start afresh. We’ll do our best. Iraq has talented players, and for us to qualify for the next stage, we must win this match,” Sanchez said.
“We’ve been working hard for a long time. We’ve a great group of gifted players who work as one unit. This was our method in previous matches — to play as a unit and give our best,” he added.
Photos of Qatar’s national team during training in the UAE, ahead of their AFC Asian Cup match against Iraq in the Round of 16. #AFCAsianCup2019 #Qatar #Iraq @QFA pic.twitter.com/tn0cK4mfYa
— Alkass Digital (@alkassdigital) January 21, 2019
Meanwhile, Iraq coach Srecko Katanec said he expected a ‘big challenge’ from Qatar, but warned that their impressive group record would count for little.
Qatar had scored ten goals in three games and did not concede once, allowing their opponents just three shots on target overall in their three matches — fewer than any other side in the tournament.
“Our form is good, but we must be on our toes against Qatar. Jordan went into their match against Vietnam having not conceded one goal, but the first one they did was enough to eliminate them from the tournament,” Katanec was quoted as saying by beIN Sports.
“Qatar will be a huge challenge as they’re very adept at changing tactics and formations. My message to the players is that we must be quick to adjust to Qatar,” he added.
Today : Unbeaten Qatar will face strong Iraq in the Round 16 of @afcasiancup
— IstandWithQatar.org (@IstandWithQatar) January 22, 2019
Time: 7:00 PM pic.twitter.com/wSmIvvWmSy
Katanec has been in charge of Iraq for just five months, compared to 18 months at the helm for opposite number Sanchez.
The match will begin at 7 pm, Doha time.
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