World Courant
The Lusail Stadium, which performed host when Lionel Messi’s Argentina lifted their third FIFA World Cup crown, will gentle up gold once more as Qatar begins its protection of its AFC Asian Cup title within the event’s opening match in opposition to Lebanon on Friday night.
The Al Annabi (the Maroons) might have the assist of a partisan crowd as they take the sphere as defending champions, however their journey from lifting the trophy in 2019 to internet hosting the present version has been turbulent.
Qatar goes into the event on the again of huge wins within the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, however their performances in opposition to higher-ranked groups have led to heavy losses in latest months. Mixed with the sacking of extremely skilled former Portugal and Actual Madrid supervisor Carlos Queiroz a month earlier than the Asian Cup and simply 10 months after taking workplace, they’ve left query marks over Qatar’s preparations.
Queiroz took over from Felix Sanchez – a preferred Spanish coach who rose by means of the ranks of Qatari soccer and led Qatar to Asian Cup glory within the United Arab Emirates 4 years in the past. Nevertheless, Sánchez’s contract was not renewed on the finish of 2022 as he noticed Qatar lose all three of their group stage matches as hosts of the 2022 World Cup.
One other Spanish coach, Marquez Lopez, who beforehand managed Qatar Stars League membership Al Wakrah, was shortly appointed as Quieroz’s successor.
It’s removed from the preparation and build-up that the staff that shocked Japan within the closing 4 years in the past would have needed.
The primary match for #AlAnnabi inside #AsianCup2023 :
Qatar Lebanon
Friday January 12, 2024
Opening ceremony: 5:00 PM
Kick-off: 7:00 PM
Lusail Stadium#Let’s win pic.twitter.com/aD7cujUBLX
— Qatar Soccer Affiliation (@QFA_EN) January 10, 2024
Qatar will use strain ‘in a constructive method’
Nonetheless, Qatar are anticipated to make a powerful protection of a trophy they fought so laborious for for the primary time and defender Tarek Salman says the strain is just not the identical as throughout the World Cup.
“Usually you might have strain,” he stated, stressing that being the present Asian champion would have an effect on the staff “in a constructive method, not in a adverse method”.
The 26-year-old, who performs for Qatari membership Al Sadd, admitted the change in administration meant the gamers needed to adapt to the Spanish fashion. Publicly, the gamers have welcomed the appointment and Salman says it’s a late change of route that he believes the staff can overcome.
“I believe it fits us and we hope to attain good issues with the coach,” he added.
Former worldwide Raed Yaqoub, who represented his nation between 1993 and 2001, says that regardless of the unrest, Qatar ought to be capable of simply depart a bunch that additionally consists of China and Tajikistan and that the semi-finals ought to be attainable.
The 49-year-old player-turned-pundit, who made 23 appearances for the nationwide staff, sympathizes with the duty that awaits Lopez after the occasions of December.
“I believe it is a mistake to carry him accountable only a month earlier than the event,” he stated, including that he sees Japan because the strongest staff whereas additionally eyeing Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia.
Japan ‘searching for revenge’
One other former Qatar worldwide, Mohamed Mubarak al-Mohannadi, stated the transfer so near the Asian Cup would make it tough for any coach to make the required transformation inside a month.
Al-Mohannadi, who made 17 appearances in midfield for his nation within the Eighties, warned that Qatar can have a goal on their again as a holder, particularly within the eyes of Japan, who he stated can be “on the lookout for revenge”.
“Japan is a developed staff and its degree has risen enormously since then,” he stated, “not like the Qatari staff, whose degree has dropped considerably.”
Qatar received reward for internet hosting the 2022 World Cup, however the staff misplaced to the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador and exited the group stage. It was the worst efficiency by any World Cup host.
Netherlands 2 – 0 Qatar
FULL-TIME: With the ultimate blow of the whistle, Qatar’s World Cup spherical involves an finish because the Netherlands win 2-0 on the Al Bayt Stadium.
LIVE #NEDQAT competitors weblog: pic.twitter.com/nQOOGqF1Qi
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) November 29, 2022
It was hoped that the Asian Cup, which was transferred to Qatar from China because of the latter’s ‘zero-COVID’ coverage, can be a recent begin.
Quieroz received 5, misplaced 5 and drew two video games in his aborted four-year contract, whereas Lopez’s first match in late December was a 3-0 win over Cambodia, a staff that did not qualify for the regional championship.
Lopez, who performed for Espanyol in his native Spain, stated it was “necessary” that he knew Qatari soccer after managing Al-Wakrah for six years.
“I do know the gamers, I do know my mentality and I do know… my concept of taking part in,” he stated, explaining that he was not a “new arrival”.
The 62-year-old stated after his appointment that “there’s fixed strain in soccer”, and performed down the concept that his facet have been below strain to make up for his or her World Cup disappointment.
“Extra necessary for the gamers is that they benefit from the match,” he stated.
When the phrases lastly cease and the whistle blows on the 88,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, the expectation shall be that the time has come for the defending champions’ performances to match the event.
Qatar at AFC Asian Cup 2023: hosts, defending champions however not favorites | Soccer information
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