Qatar Football Association (QFA) President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani said that Qatar football team had made a historic achievement after winning the AFC Asian Cup for the first time ever, saying this achievement is the result of ongoing work and effort of years. He said that a strong national team has been built to bring more outstanding successes for Qatar in the 2022 World Cup.
In a press statement, Sheikh Hamad said that this unprecedented achievement was the result of a great work by officials in the country, and a great effort to further bring more successes for the Qatari football.
He added that the Asian title win was deserved after preparing a strong and distinguished team under the supervision of the coach Felix Sanchez, who has been in touch with the young players for years. Sanchez led them to the Asian Youth Cup win in 2014 and to qualify for the World Youth Cup in the same year. His hard work with these players and first team members led them to succeed in the current edition of the Asian Cup and to claim the title.
QFA president said the 25-year-old generation is capable of achieving the best in the future, adding that these players could be boosted by other elements of the Olympic team or the youth team, who will compete in the World Cup in Poland in the coming period.
Sheikh Hamad congratulated the players and their team for achieving this historic Asian achievement, stressing that the players have presented excellent levels throughout the tournament, and honoured their country and achieved a new glory for their country and made history for themselves.
This achievement is a unique point that adds a lot to the Qatari football on its way towards the World Cup 2022, he said, pointing out that Qatar has a group of small elements that have been equipped with great work to be complementary to this generation of players in the near future.
He stressed that preparing a distinguished team has been their goal since Qatar won the honour of organising the 2022 FIFA World Cup nine years ago, pointing out that they have been preparing teams and smaller groups to set them on the path to success.
QFA president revealed that the association plans to form a special Olympic team that seeks to reach the Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
He praised the players’ great efforts and success in the current edition of the Asian Cup, especially after they beat former champions, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan, stressing that the next goal is to continue to excel and achieve success in Copa America in June.
Concluding his statement, the QFA President congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on the AFC Asian Cup victory.
QFA President HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani (right) at the team’s arrival in Doha.
