Despite being grouped with teams that feature regularly in the regional tournaments, Felix Sanchez said Qatar won’t have it easy in the FIFA Arab Cup to be held in December this year.
Hosts Qatar are placed in Group A along with Iraq, with two teams from the quartet of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia scheduled to join them later through the qualifiers.
“In my opinion, it is a strong group though we have confirmed only one opponent. The other (possible) opponents (Oman, Somalia, Bahrain or Kuwait) we may face are also strong and hopefully we can perform well and qualify for the next round,” the Qatar coach said.
Qatar have clashed numerous times with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Iraq over the years in events such as the Gulf Cup, and the World Cup qualifiers, and not to mention club tournaments in which players from these nations have featured.
But, according to Sanchez, familiarity counts for nothing as the players take on the pressure of a new event where Qatar are the hosts while at the same time preparing for next year’s World Cup.
“For us, it is an important event because we can evaluate how we will perform at the World Cup next year,” Sanchez said after the FIFA Arab Cup draw yesterday.
Qatar are, of course, the reigning Asian champions, having beaten continental giants such as South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia on way to the title in 2019.
Sanchez, however, said he was more interested in what the future holds for the team.
“If we want to be one of the favourites or to reach far in the competition, we’ll have to prove on the pitch,” said the Spaniard.
“These numbers and rankings are on paper. You need to prove it on the field. Hopefully, we’re going to perform well and we can show good performance.
“If we do that, it’s we have a better chance to reach far. Which will be good for us as we are looking forward to the World Cup. So hopefully we’re going to perform well and we can bring some good results.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s French coach Herve Renard was also looking forward to the FIFA Arab Cup, saying it would be a great preparation ahead of the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia are grouped with Morocco with Jordan and Palestine most likely to join them later through the qualifiers.
“It’s a very good competition and a very difficult one too,” said Renard.
The Frenchman is no stranger to teams in the Arab world and Africa having had successful coaching stints with Morocco, Zambia and Ivory Coast.
Talking about taking on his former team Morocco, he said he was looking forward to the challenge although it would be difficult.
“I spent a fantastic time with Morocco. So my heart will pump faster. But we have to concentrate on the game, now that I am the coach of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“So we have to be focused and hope to go as far as possible in the tournament.
“Of course we have the FIFA World Cup coming up. We will test ourselves in the Arab Cup and see where we stand.”
Hosts Qatar are placed in Group A along with Iraq, with two teams from the quartet of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia scheduled to join them later through the qualifiers.
“In my opinion, it is a strong group though we have confirmed only one opponent. The other (possible) opponents (Oman, Somalia, Bahrain or Kuwait) we may face are also strong and hopefully we can perform well and qualify for the next round,” the Qatar coach said.
Qatar have clashed numerous times with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Iraq over the years in events such as the Gulf Cup, and the World Cup qualifiers, and not to mention club tournaments in which players from these nations have featured.
But, according to Sanchez, familiarity counts for nothing as the players take on the pressure of a new event where Qatar are the hosts while at the same time preparing for next year’s World Cup.
“For us, it is an important event because we can evaluate how we will perform at the World Cup next year,” Sanchez said after the FIFA Arab Cup draw yesterday.
Qatar are, of course, the reigning Asian champions, having beaten continental giants such as South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia on way to the title in 2019.
Sanchez, however, said he was more interested in what the future holds for the team.
“If we want to be one of the favourites or to reach far in the competition, we’ll have to prove on the pitch,” said the Spaniard.
“These numbers and rankings are on paper. You need to prove it on the field. Hopefully, we’re going to perform well and we can show good performance.
“If we do that, it’s we have a better chance to reach far. Which will be good for us as we are looking forward to the World Cup. So hopefully we’re going to perform well and we can bring some good results.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s French coach Herve Renard was also looking forward to the FIFA Arab Cup, saying it would be a great preparation ahead of the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia are grouped with Morocco with Jordan and Palestine most likely to join them later through the qualifiers.
“It’s a very good competition and a very difficult one too,” said Renard.
The Frenchman is no stranger to teams in the Arab world and Africa having had successful coaching stints with Morocco, Zambia and Ivory Coast.
Talking about taking on his former team Morocco, he said he was looking forward to the challenge although it would be difficult.
“I spent a fantastic time with Morocco. So my heart will pump faster. But we have to concentrate on the game, now that I am the coach of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“So we have to be focused and hope to go as far as possible in the tournament.
“Of course we have the FIFA World Cup coming up. We will test ourselves in the Arab Cup and see where we stand.”
