Competing against teams like Argentina and Colombia at this summer’s Copa America will be a ‘big challenge’ for Asian Cup champions Qatar, national team coach Felix Sanchez said yesterday.
Sanchez guided Qatar to a seven-match winning streak at the 24-team Asian Cup where his team beat Japan in the final to emerge as the continent’s top side.
Later this year, Qatar will make their debut at the world’s oldest national team event, competing with sides like Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia in June.
“We are very excited, of course, to play at the Copa America. It is a big tournament. It is a big challenge. It is going to be a great experience for us - for the players who want to be there at the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” Sanchez said yesterday.
“It will give us real and better experience,” the former Barcelona junior coach added.
Excerpts from a Q&A session with Qatar’s Asian Cup winning coach:
Q: What’s your take on Qatar’s historic Asian Cup title win?
A: Of course we are every proud of it. It makes us happy to make people happy in the country. It is nice to share such moments with football fans.
Q: How does it feel to have coached the core group of young players for a few years now?
A: I have been with them for a few years but we don’t have to say that all the time. This is actually a group of players that I have been with for a long time. At the end they make a strong group. They are competing well so far.
Q: Which part of development of this group delights you the most?
A: I think the commitment they have is good. They try hard and that was the key for them to win the trophy.
Q: What’s the next assignment for the national team?
A: Our next big event is the Copa America in June. We have to be at our maximum level because we will be competing with top teams so we have to be at our 100 percent. We have to sit down with QFA and decide on our next training camps.
Q: Is there any rumour that any South American teams may come to Qatar to play here?
A: I don’t think so.
Q: Do you think this victory is being noticed around the world?
A: I think winning the tournament and the way we did now shows people that this is a football nation. They know more about this team. I think this is good for the players, the team. People now realise that there is a team they can watch.
Q: Does winning the Asian Cup improves your CV as a coach?
A: You mean winning the Cup improves my CV? (laughs). It is good that it happened. I think all the countries have improved their level.
Q: At the Asian Cup, when did you feel Qatar could go all the way?
A: I think at the start it was difficult. Each game presented a different challenge. We needed to play against top teams of the continent. But after the match against Saudi Arabia, when we won 2-0, I thought this will give us confidence and that we could beat any side after that.
Q: Jose Mourinho praised Almoez Ali a lot. What’s your opinion about Qatar’s top striker?
A: Almoez had a great tournament. He scored nine goals in all. Those goals were key for us. He did help us win games. His performance was excellent. We are happy with his show.
Q: Did any of the officials in the UAE congratulate you and your team on the win?
A: We didn’t face any problems. We had just one game against them and everyone knows what happened in that game. In football this can happen. We won the most important game against them. That’s what mattered. At the end of the tournament, at the prize distribution ceremony, everybody congratulated us. They praised us.
Q: Will you get another contract from QFA?
A: I have a contract with QFA (smiles). Until ..... I don’t remember (smiles again).
Q: Do you think the Qatari players need to go to Europe to improve their game?
A: We won the trophy because Qatar made a plan and worked hard. It was a long-term plan. Whatever the country decides - whether to send the players outside - is a decision that will be decided by Qatar. The players have their competitions to feature in and they have to play Copa America also now. So they are busy already. I am sure the best decision will be made.
Q: WIll Qatar play any friendlies?
A: Sure, we will play friendlies. We have not confirmed the opponents yet. We have to plan friendly games. We still have to finalise the schedule. It will be good to play a few games but I don’t think it would be in Europe. I always prepare a list of teams we would like to play but for that to happen, I have to sit down with the QFA and then we make decisions. There are many things to look at.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com