We deserved to qualify for the semi-finals, says Qatar coach Pinheiro

Coach Bruno Pinheiro said Qatar deserved to qualify for the semi-finals of the Arabian Gulf Cup. The three-time champions booked a place in the last four against hosts Iraq after a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates in their last Group B match at the Al Mina Olympic Stadium in Basra on Friday.
After collecting a total of four points, Qatar finished in second place behind Bahrain, who had seven points. The UAE were fourth with just one point while Kuwait, who has won the championship a record ten times, placed third overall with four points.
“It was a complicated and a difficult match but our performance was very good, especially in the first half when we missed many chances. We deserved to qualify and advance in the competition based on the performance and efforts made by the players,” Pinheiro said on Friday.
About his assessment of the players’ performance against the UAE, the Portuguese said: “I thank the players and the officials of the Qatar Football Association and their insightful vision for giving them the opportunity to be in this tournament and gain these wonderful experiences in front of full stadiums. To develop physically and mentally in such a short time is great news. We had only a two-week preparation period and our young players were able to find solutions in the matches themselves.”
When asked about his lack of support from the home crowd as they face Iraq in the semis tomorrow, Pinheiro said: “Of course, I will not be sad. With brotherly relations between the two countries, I am happy with my presence and my first visit to Iraq. I am surprised by the kind of welcome, hospitality and good reception we have received.”
Meanwhile, Rodolfo Arruabarrena expects to remain as UAE manager despite his side’s disappointing show at the Gulf Cup. Champions in 2007 and 2013, the UAE lost to Kuwait and Bahrain and drew with Qatar.
“We didn’t show up at the level we hoped for, and we were not lucky in the tournament. I have a continuous contract with the Football Association, and I have spared no effort in developing the national team and highlighting talents in the team. I have my targets and missions to accomplish, and the Football Association knows about these,” said Arruabarrena
The UAE came to Iraq after narrowly losing a World Cup playoff against Australia. The Whites were poor throughout the qualification campaign though as they missed out on a first World Cup appearance since 1990. The likes of Ali Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman, the stars of the so-called golden generation from the previous decade, are out but there is still ample talent in the squad.
At the Gulf Cup, they failed to turn up leaving Arruabarrena lot to do. Appointed in February, the Argentine coach named a number of younger players in the squad but they failed to deliver.
“Qualifying for the semi-finals was not in our hands because it was linked to the outcome of another match, and we were the closest to winning,” Arruabarrena said.
“We entered the match with the desire and ambition to win. In general, our level was not good in the tournament. This is an appropriate moment to send messages to the fans that we were not good during the tournament and we aspired to appear at a better level. We need only to work to develop talents in the national team.”