Australian footballer Mark Bresciano (right), who plays for Al Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League, speaks at a Match Australia event while QFA Executive Committee member Hani Balan (left) and National Teams Committee (QFA) director Mansoor al-Ansari look on yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma
In 11 weeks from today, Qatar will face UAE in their first match of the AFC Asian Cup, being held in Australia, and the Al-Anabi are eager to win the tournament this time around.
One of the main reasons that Qatar is feeling confident of a good show at the Asian Cup is because of the extensive work that has gone into the preparation informed Hani Balan, QFA Executive Committee member. Balan was speaking during a lunch event organised by Match Australia, the International Sports Business programme for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, for business, government and academia leaders sponsored by Emirates Airline and its alliance partner Qantas Airways at the W Hotel in Doha yesterday.
“There have been a lot of preparations done by Qatar. Everybody was committed and focused. We have succeeded in qualifying for the tournament which was our first step. Now we want to go ahead and win the Cup. Everybody has a right to,” said Balan yesterday.
Qatar have been hosts twice, in 1988 and the previous edition which was held in 2011. With this edition being the first time that it was being hosted by Australia, in fact the first time that the tournament was being held outside Asia, Balan hoped that it would boost the sport further Down Under. “It is a privilege to host such a tournament. We hosted it in 2011 and it was a landmark event. We hope it is a great success for Australia too and it builds a permanent legacy for the sport after the tournament.”
With Qatar having had a successful run of results in the recent friendlies, where they beat Uzbekistan 3-0, Lebanon 5-0 and then upset Australia 1-0 at home, they are looking to use the experience to do well in the Asian Cup. “We understand we are preparing for a high-level tournament. We have played many friendly matches with the teams cherry picked keeping in mind their high FIFA ranking and their technical superiority. This will help us in our preparation to become a stronger team,” said Balan.
In the qualifying rounds for the Asian Cup, Qatar finished second in their group with four wins and Balan credits the team’s hard work for progressing to the tournament finals. “In the qualifying rounds one must expect the unexpected. Bahrain, Malaysia and Yemen were tough teams. We played well against them. And it was hard work and motivation that helped us reach the most prestigious tournament in Asia.”
While the Asian Cup will be held in January, for Qatar, the Gulf Cup which will be held next month, is an immediate concern and the team is looking forward to the challenge considering that out of the 15 countries competing in the Asian Cup, 10 are from the Middle East including Qatar. “There will be strong competition in the Gulf Cup. Every team will enhance their performance in the Gulf Cup in order to do better in the Asia Cup,” said Balan.
Mansoor al-Ansari, director of National Teams Committee (QFA), also stressed that a lot of background work is being done to ensure Qatar does its best in Australia. “We have huge plans in place. There are a lot of stakeholders who have collaborated and are working towards one target – that is to help the players represent Qatar in the best way possible,” said al-Ansari yesterday.
When asked about the team’s strategy, al-Ansari said, “In any tournament, every team has to have the will to fight and the will to win. Our strategy will be not to undermine anyone.”
Mark Bresciano, Australian football player who is currently playing for Al Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League as a midfielder, and present yesterday as part of a Middle East AFC Asian Cup trophy tour, said that the hot weather conditions in Australia during the month of January will work in favour of the Gulf teams. “There will be a lot of emphasis on the conditions. Players from the Gulf countries won’t have any problems adjusting. They will adapt easily,” said Bresciano yesterday.
Bresciano also said that for the Aussie team, jet-lag would be another major concern. “For us the other concern is also jet lag. It takes away most of your energy and makes it difficult for an athlete. We have train as soon as we land.”
When asked who he would prefer in the final, he said, “Let’s make it a Qatar-Australia final. It will be a great match.” And Balan quickly responded with, “Considering our recent result against Australia, we wouldn’t mind that.”
More than just a sporting opportunity
Pablo Kang (pictured below), Australian ambassador to the UAE and Qatar spoke about the Match Australia programme and that he hoped that the AFC Asian Cup will see visitors from the Gulf region also looking at business opportunities in Australia. “Australians love sport and the only thing we enjoy more than watching an international tournament is hosting one. We were pleased to introduce the Match Australia programme this year and pleased they have come to Qatar, to help connect local and international firms with Australian partners and key business and investment opportunities. Our hope is that players on the field will not be the only ones kicking goals and that visitors from all over the region can benefit from greater trade, investment and education links with Australia.”
