ASIAN CUP 2019 TRIUMPH IS OUR INSPIRATION: QATAR COACH SANCHEZ
QATAR coach Felix Sanchez is confident ahead of his team’s World Cup debut as hosts.
“In 2019, it was very difficult to imagine us winning the Asian Cup and we did it. I’m not talking about us becoming world champions, but competing at the highest level is definitely our goal,” Sanchez told reporters ahead of the start of the tournament this Sunday.
Qatar will play Ecuador in the opening match, Senegal five days later and then the Netherlands in Group A.
“We are facing teams that have been to World Cup finals or are African champions. Many players are the best in the world in their positions, with World Cup and Champions League experience,” the 46-year-old Spaniard added.
“We waited for a long time to get to this event. Obviously, everyone is looking forward to the tournament,” Sanchez told beIN Sports.
“We feel proud to be part of the event, and we will try to do our best, play at high levels, and compete with the teams we will face,” he added.
Qatar goalkeeper Sadd Al Sheeb said: “We are very proud to be representing our country in this prestigious tournament. The team is excited and ready and God willing, we will put up a good show.”
Centre-back Bassem Al Rawi said: “These are exciting times for us and the fans. Everybody is excited before the first match and we are looking forward to a good show.”
Midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem said Qatar have prepared well and spirits were high. “We are having fun. We are relishing this time as the World Cup approaches. I think every one of us is very proud of that.”
The hosts in contrast are inexperienced internationally, with all of the players playing in the Qatar Stars League.
The only World Cup hosts to be eliminated in the group stage so far were South Africa in 2010.