Sanchez Plays Down Favourites Tag As Qatar Make the Big Impression
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Kerber celebrates b’day with win at the Open. “I think it’s the 12th time in a row.” SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 Sanchez plays down favourites tag as Qatar make the big impression AFC prefer to play Iraq rather than ABU DHABI someone else as we always play to win the group. it is go- HEAD coach Felix Sanchez has ing to be very tough. We know been quick to play down any that we will have to perform notion of Qatar being favour- well to compete with a well- ites to win the AFC Asian Cup organised team like Iraq who UAE 2019 following Thurs- have talented players.” day’s 2-0 win over Saudi Ara- Meanwhile, Juan Antonio bia which saw his side finish Pizzi was left to rue the mis- top of the Group E standings. takes that cost Saudi Arabia Almoez Ali scored twice dear on a night when they fin- to take his tally for the tour- ished as runners-up to Qatar, nament to an impressive sev- setting up Monday’s Round of en, as the Qataris recorded 16 clash with four-time cham- a third successive victory, a pions Japan in the process. run of form that has yet to see “We tried to impose our them concede. style of play on Qatar, but However, despite the fly- our finishing and our ability ing start, Sanchez is adamant to make the right decisions that Qatar’s impressive record at crucial moments were not will count for nothing come MORE CHALLENGES AHEAD there tonight,” declared the the knockout phase. one-time Chile boss. “I want to congratulate my Each game is going to be very hard, and we do “We were good in the first players for the game against not consider our favourites as we know our 30 minutes, but an individual Saudi Arabia,” said the Span- opponents in the next round will be very difficult. error for the first goal and then ish tactician. another mistake from a set- “They showed great team Qatar coach Felix Sanchez piece saw us concede twice. spirit and plenty of quality. “I am just starting to think It is good for the team to just one match going forward. runners-up Iraq in Abu Dhabi of the game versus Japan. As finish first as it helps build “Each game is going to on Tuesday, with Sanchez I have stated before, I respect confidence going into the be very hard, and we do not predicting another tough en- all of the teams that are here next round.” consider our favourites as we counter for his charges. and do not feel either superior “Nevertheless, we have know our opponents in the next “We know that our next or inferior to anyone. It is now finished the group stage and round will be very difficult.” opponents are one of the important for us to learn from now it does not matter if you Qatar, quarter-finalists strongest in the competition,” the mistakes we made against have three wins or just the in 2000 and 2011, are now he said. Qatar and perform better one, as it all comes down to scheduled to meet Group D “It’s not that we would when we play Japan.” (Pic left) Qatar players celebrate with Almoez Ali (No. 19) after he scored during the AFC Asian Cup match against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Al Annabi to play Iraq in Asian Cup 2019 Round of 16 on January 22 FTER 36 matches, and JORDAN v VIETNAM (Jan 20) since 1972, Thailand will meet a memorable 3-1 win over AUSTRALIA v UZBEKISTAN crowd, host nation United dramatic last-minute winner Ano shortage of drama, UNBEATEN Group B winners FIFA World Cup-winner Marcello Turkmenistan. (Jan 21) Arab Emirates will face Kyrgyz against India which sealed their the qualifiers for the AFC Jordan face a Vietnam side ap- Lippi’s China PR, who qualified IN a re-match of the 2011 AFC Republic, who have made his- path to the last 16. Asian Cup UAE 2019 knock- pearing in the knockout stage as the second placed team JAPAN v S ARABIA (Jan 21) Asian Cup semi-final, reign- tory by reaching the knockout out stage have been finalised. for the first time since 2007, in Group C. A blockbuster clash between ing champions Australia will stage in their first appearance QATAR v IRAQ (January 22) The line-up was confirmed on and just the second time in two of the competition’s most meet Hector Cuper’s emerging at the Finals. QATAR, and current tournament Thursday, when Oman and their history, with the winners IRAN v OMAN (Jan 20) successful nations in Sharjah. Uzbekistan, after both sides leading scorer Almoez Ali, meet Vietnam claimed the Round to meet either Japan or Saudi THREE-TIME Asian champions Four-time champions and Group qualified by finishing second in S KOREA v BAHRAIN (Jan 22) 2007 champions Iraq in a mouth- of 16’s two remaining places, Arabia in the quarter-finals. and Group D winners Islamic F winners Japan will meet Sau- their respective groups. A Son Heung-min-inspired watering final Round of 16 tie, setting the scene for what Republic of Iran will look to di Arabia, who have lifted the Korea Republic will look to with the winners to face either promises to be an unforgetta- THAILAND v CHINA PR (Jan 20) continue their unbeaten start trophy on three occasions and UAE v KYRGYZSTAN (Jan 21) continue their perfect start to South Korea or Bahrain in the ble climax to the largest ever APPEARING in their first AFC to UAE 2019 against an emerg- finished second in Group E. IN front of a typically passion- the AFC Asian Cup against a last eight coming Tuesday at the edition of the competition. Asian Cup knockout fixture ing Oman side revitalised by ate Zayed Sports City Stadium Bahrain outfit buoyed by the Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Tourney starts with knock-out phase for Iran boss Queiroz DPA have to step up a level. It could have been different ABU DHABI “What’s important is we had Sardar Azmoun or Jahan- Iran are searching for a first have qualified for the round bakhsh scored good chances in IRAN entered the Asian Cup as Asian Cup since 1976 and of 16 as the winners,” he was the first half but after the break the top ranked team in the con- the beginning of the knock- quoted in the Tehran Times. it was Iraq who were pressing tinent and for coach Carlos out phase is where coach “However, we wanted to ad- more for a winner. Queiroz the bid to end a 43- Carlos Queiroz believes the vance to the next stage with Iran won the first three year title drought begins in ear- nine points.” Asian Cups they reached 1968- nest with the knock-out phase. campaign really gets going. South Korea, Japan and Qa- 1976 but have not been back to “From now on, it’s a game tar all made it through the group the final since despite regular- Mourinho pats Qatar’s performance which is everything for the phase with perfect records. ly being in contention. winner and nothing to the Unable to play in the first In the last six editions they DOHA: Former Manchester the better team. So I would loser,” the veteran Portu- two games in the United Arab have not once been eliminated United and Chelsea coach congratulate the country, guese said. “All the profile of Emirates, naming Jahan- in regulation, twice going out Jose Mourinho praised Qa- congratulate the working the games have changed, so bakhsh in the squad was not in extra-time and losing four tar’s good show on the field group.” we can say that the Asian Cup without risk. penalty shoot-outs. against Saudi Arabia in the Apart from being as an starts for us in the next game.” “I just want to say a huge But whatever the hard Asian Cup 2019 on Thursday. expert during beIN’s expan- Iran impressed in their these three games, it’s impor- Queiroz took the chance to thanks to the coaching staff for luck stories, advancing in Making his first appear- sive coverage of the 24-team opening matches, humbling tant to have a good rest, and shuffle his team against Iraq trusting me,” he said. “Hope- only two knock-out games ance on television as an ex- AFC Asian Cup, Mourinho minnows Yemen 5-0 and beat- start to be mentally fresh for the with qualification already guar- fully I can help Team Melli in from the last eight attempts pert exclusively for BeIN will also be commenting on ing Vietnam 2-0 before finding [next] games,” said Queiroz. anteed, including offering first the next matches.” – not including third-place Sports, Mourinho – a former the Premier League match life tougher against Iraq. Iran return to action action to midfielder Alireza Ja- Queiroz was - publicly at games - is a dismal record. Portuguese international between Arsenal and Chel- Nonetheless, a goalless on Sunday in Abu Dhabi hanbakhsh who has been side- least - more relaxed about the Queiroz is widely reported himself – said, “Qatar was sea on January 19. draw with their regional rivals against Oman, who qualified lined with a hamstring injury. performance against Iraq, say- to be leaving at the end of the ensured they progressed as as third from Group F. The The Brighton midfielder ing the “game was intense, en- tournament and signing off winners of Group D.