Coach Felix Sanchez said Asian Cup champions Qatar must “be ready to face any situation” when they take part in 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament next year.
On Monday night, Qatar, who won the 2019 Asian Cup, were drawn with Honduras, Panama and Granada in Group D of the 16-team tournament.
“I think it is important to be ready to face any situation. These days other teams demand of you to play well in any situation,” Sanchez said in reaction to the draw announced by CONCACAF Gold Cup organisers in Miami, Florida.
“Our is a young team. It is growing. It is getting international experience. They are playing well outside Asia and that is good experience for us,” Sanchez added.
“Since we are playing the World Cup (in 2022), it will be good to play other type or style of football. It will be good for us to get this experience and to improve our international level. We need to adapt any possible scenario and that’s how we are trying to play,” the Spaniard said.
“Nowadays, I think, every team is well prepared. They have technical staff and all the resources to see and to follow other teams and the players. It is not advantage for any side these days. We will know all the other teams, and surely, our rival teams will know about us, our teams and the players profiles etc. This does not give any advantage to anyone.
“Regards to Group D that Qatar has to be play, our rival teams have qualified to play in the tournament. They have a good level to play in this competition. Honduras and Panama national teams have also played World Cups in recent past. They have good level.
“Their players play in Mexico, Europe and elsewhere and they have good experience. They will be be a big challenge for us. It will be another experience to play in this league. We hope we will compete well against these teams and try to get good results in group stage,” Sanchez added.
Sanchez has been with the Qatar national team for three years now. Sanchez was the coach when Qatar beat Japan in the final of the 2019 Asian Cup played in the UAE.
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