Sanchez ‘Happiest Coach in the World’ As Qatar Make History ‘We Played a Great Game, the Players Made a Huge Eff Ort and We Achieved Something Great for Our Country’
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NBA | Page 5 Curry too hot as Warriors beat Wizards for 9th straight win Saturday, January 26, 2019 GOLF Jumada I 20, 1440 AH Ernie Els moves GULF TIMES to second aft er vintage display SPORT Page 4 AFC ASIAN CUP Sanchez ‘happiest coach in the world’ as Qatar make history ‘We played a great game, the players made a huge eff ort and we achieved something great for our country’ By Sports Reporter today, this is history for us,” said Span- The Qataris who have faced con- fi ve at the back, came out with more QFA president praises Doha iard Sanchez, under whom the players stant abuse from the crowds in the attacking intent in the second half but have gelled as a fi ghting-fi t unit. UAE sobbed tears of delight at the fi nal were almost immediately caught on the Qatar’s qualifi cation to “We played a great game, the play- whistle before stripping to the waist break with Hwang Ui-jo forcing a save Asian Cup semis elix Sanchez declared himself ers made a huge eff ort and we achieved and dancing for joy. out of Saad al-Sheeb. as the “happiest coach” in the something great for our country. I’m South Korea’s shell-shocked players The game was opening up with QNA world after Qatar stormed into the happiest coach in the world.” could scarcely believe the manner of chances at both ends and Son, who had Abu Dhabi the semi-fi nals of the Asian Little has fazed Sanchez during Qa- their ambush and cut dejected fi gures looked fatigued since joining the South FCup with a 1-0 win over continental gi- tar’s historic march to the Asian Cup as they trudged off the pitch at the end. Korean squad for their third group ants and regular World Cuppers South last four, but the revelation that his They had looked in total control, game, started to impose his infl uence. atar Football Association Korea. players visited a fast food restaurant comfortably shackling Sudan-born The Tottenham Hotspur forward got (QFA) president HE Sheikh What’s signifi cant about Al Annabi’s during the tournament caused him striker Almoez Ali, who needs one more a low drive on target in the 72nd minute QHamad bin Khalifa bin progress is that they are not only un- some amusement yesterday. goal to equal Ali Daei’s record of eight in which went straight to Saad and made a Ahmed al-Thani praised yesterday beaten in the prestigious tournament Asked whether he was aware that de- a single Asian Cup. decoy run before Kim Jin-su curled the the qualification of the Qatari foot- but are also yet to concede a single goal, fender Bassam al-Rawi and striker Al- But the Koreans, who fi nished run- ball onto the outside of the post from a ball national team to the semi-final which is a unique record in itself. moez Ali — the top scorer in the United ners-up four years ago, lacked an end free kick three minutes later. of AFC Asian Cup in the UAE, after Ali Afi f had declared on Thursday Arab Emirates tournament — went to a product even before the fatal break- Just when it looked like the Koreans beating South Korea through a goal that the Asian Cup is coming to Qatar, Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet after the down that allowed Hatim to wriggle might be getting on top, though, the by Abdulaziz Hatem. and yesterday’s victory puts them just team’s group stage victory over Saudi free and try his luck from distance. ball broke for Hatim in midfi eld and The win saw the national team two wins away from what would be an Arabia, Sanchez was lost for words. “We’re taking the competition game “We didn’t create too many opportu- seconds later it was nestled in the bot- reach the semi-final of the competi- unparalleled achievement in the annals “I had no idea,” he said after a long si- by game. It’s the only way we can take nities but we created more than them,” tom right-hand corner of the South tion for the first time in its history. of the country’s already-illustrious lence. “They celebrate... today they can it,” said Sanchez. shrugged South Korea coach Paulo Korean net. The QFA president said in a state- sporting history. go to Kentucky if they want for one hour. “We [told] the players before that we Bento. Hwang Ui-jo had the ball in the back ment to the press that the delight of Qatar midfi elder Afi f was refreshingly It’s also good they have some freedom, needed to compete with the best play- “We hit the post, had the clearer of the opposite net two minutes later the Qatari and Arab people with the bold with his comments, saying the team they’re very professional players.” ers in Asia. They’re showing they can chances. But we weren’t as productive but was ruled off side, a decision con- win made it even more pleasing. will “go back to Doha with the Cup.” The smile that Sanchez could not be competitive in offi cial competition. as we normally are and it’s true that we fi rmed by the He then congratulated the players, With blockading country UAE next quite prevent from forming before “There are some big emotions today, made some easy mistakes.” video assistant coaching staff , and Qatar’s citizens in line, Qatar will not need any extra he answered makes it hard to tell if he but it’s no miracle.” Both teams had played their last 16 referee, and and residents on the qualification motivation to put up their best display knew about the escapade all along. Qatar have another tournament lined matches on Tuesday, which perhaps Qatar held on to the semi-final of the competition. in the tournament so far with the aim of Qatar’s offi cial Twitter account in up later in the year, when they will be se- contributed to a forgettable fi rst half to secure a fa- making it to the title clash. English retweeted a picture taken of the verely tested by Argentina, Colombia and with just one shot on target — Akram mous victory. es but they were very well-organised,” Be that as it may, but Qatar celebrated players in the restaurant. Paraguay as guests in the Copa America. Afi f’s long-range eff ort after 32 min- “We tried South Korea’s Portuguese coach Paulo late into the night yesterday after their Either way, neither al-Rawi or Ali are After that, the countdown to their utes which South Korea keeper Kim to dominate Bento said after suff ering his fi rst defeat giant-killing act against the South Ko- likely to be in too much trouble given home World Cup in 2022 will be well safely gathered. the game in 12 matches in charge. reans. the team’s performances and their and truly on. The Qataris, who started with as we had “We were eliminated because we Even the normally staid Sanchez was magnifi cent winning run. This is after The immediate concern, however, is in our weren’t effi cient enough in converting caught up in the swirl of emotions. all Qatar’s fi rst win at this stage in three Tuesday’s semi-fi nal with hosts UAE in previous our opportunities into goals.” “We’ve achieved something special attempts. Abu Dhabi. match- (with agency inputs) Qatar players lift coach Felix Sanchez (also top) in celebration of their victory over South Korea in their AFC Asian Cup quarter-final in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 26, 2019 FOOTBALL Sights from Qatar’s victory in AFC Asian Cup quarter-fi nal over South Korea SPOTLIGHT Holders Australia are out of Asian Cup Reuters an empty net for his ninth goal in Al Ain two Asian Cups. The Australians complained Degenek had been fouled prior to efending champions giving away possession by Mo- Australia crashed out of hamed Abdulrahman, but Japa- the Asian Cup yester- nese referee Ryuji Sato waved away day when a contentious the protests and the goal stood. DAli Mabkhout goal earned hosts Victory means Alberto Zac- the United Arab Emirates a 1-0 cheroni’s side will move on to a victory and a semi-fi nal meeting potentially politically sensitive with Qatar next week. semi-fi nal against their Arabian Mabkhout struck midway Gulf neighbours, who earlier through the second half after stunned South Korea 1-0. Milos Degenek under-hit a pass Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bah- back to Mat Ryan, and the Al rain and Egypt launched a diplo- Jazira man swooped to round the matic and trade boycott of Qatar goalkeeper and slot the ball into in June 2017. DRAW Qatar grouped with Argentina, Colombia in Copa America AFP and last time out failed to even Rio de Janeiro progress to the knock-out stages. It was a shock 1-0 defeat to Peru that sealed their fate in the osts Brazil were handed Copa America Centenario in the a favourable group at United States three years ago, the 2019 Copa America and they will again meet in the draw in Rio de Janeiro fi nal pool encounter on June 22 in Hon Thursday but arch-rivals Ar- Sao Paulo. gentina landed a tough appoint- Argentina’s recent major tour- ment with Colombia. nament history is of an even Eight-time winners Brazil, the greater concern.