TTENNISENNIS | Page 7 Djokovic motivated to surpass Federer’s mark Tuesday, January 29, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada I 23, 1440 AH Clinical Japan GULF TIMES stun Iran to reach Asian Cup fi nal SPORT Page 2 ASIAN CUP SEMI-FINAL: QATAR VS UAE, 5PM QATAR TIME TODAY Pressure, what pressure? Qatar aim to make history ‘The players are aware that there’s pressure but they’re dealing with it very well. We are more confident under pressure’ AFP/AFC Abu Dhabi Team spirit and atar coach Felix Sanchez is happy for technical superiority his team to be labelled favourites in today’s will help Qatar beat QAsian Cup semi-fi nal against host the United Arab Emirates — and has backed his players to si- UAE, says al-Ansari lence the haters once more. Qa- tar’s run to their fi rst Asian Cup semi-fi nal is all the more re- markable given the abuse hurled at them by local crowds, but Sanchez insisted the 2022 World Cup hosts would welcome the pressure in a politically charged clash. “The players are aware that there’s pressure but they’re dealing with it very well,” the Spaniard said yesterday. “We are more confi dent under pressure.” The Saudi-led blockade of Qatar has robbed Sanchez’s team of travelling support. Even several Omanis who have bravely turned up to cheer Qatar on are likely to fi nd all of the tickets for the semi-fi nal have been dis- By Anil John nis were against Qatar, but we tributed to local fans. Sports Editor still beat them. It motivated the “Up to this point it has been team further and they showed very demanding for us,” admit- a great fighting spirit. Hope- ted Sanchez, whose side stunned atar Football As- fully that will be also the case Son Heung-min’s South Korea sociation General- tomorrow.” 1-0 in the quarter-fi nals. “But Secretary Mansoor He said the players are kept this group of players are men- al-Ansari left little motivated all the time and in tally strong,” added the 43-year- Q to doubt about his thoughts top mental condition. old, who took over as head coach on today’s Asian Cup semi-final “They have a great leader- 18 months ago but has been in- Members of the Qatar squad are all smiles as they are led by Abdelkarim Hassan during a training session in Abu Dhabi yesterday. against the UAE, saying the ship. The technical team, the volved with the current crop of hosts cannot match the team head coach, the QFA President players since 2006. [even further] in the competi- full house at Abu Dhabi’s Mo- spirit, technical excellence and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin “They’ve proven they can tion. hamed bin Zayed Stadium. “As never-say-die attitude of Fe- Ahmad al-Thani who makes it compete against the best teams “The players are looking for- I have said previously it is nor- lix Sanchez’s exciting young a point to meet the players and in Asia and they’re still ambi- ward to the game, and their re- mal to be missing players at this charges. talk to them at practice. They tious — they want to keep go- sults up until now show that this stage of a competition,” he said. In perhaps the most an- all contribute to the mental ing.” The winners will take on group are mentally very strong. “The key point for us is that ticipated football match in the conditioning of the players.” Japan, who defeated Iran 3-0 in My squad is ambitious, and they everyone is ready and waiting to region’s history for a very long The core of Qatar’s team is the fi rst semi-fi nal yesterday. want to keep going. It has not play and to help the team in the time, the two nations will clash made of players who were part The fi nal will be played on Feb- been easy to keep getting the process. in Abu Dhabi today for the of the squad that won the 2014 ruary 1. results we have done game after Meanwhile, UAE coach Al- right to meet Japan in the final U19 Asian Cup in Myanmar; “The team, I believe, has game, but hopefully in the semi- berto Zaccheroni also praised of the continental showpiece in fact, Almoez Ali and Akram coped very well with the situ- fi nal we can perform well again Qatar. “They are an outstand- on Friday. Japan yesterday Afif, the stars for the country ation so far. Of course, all of us and reach the fi nal.” ing side who haven’t conceded thrashed Iran 3-0 in the first in that event, have also taken know there is added pressure Qatar will be missing Ab- a goal yet,” said the Italian, who semi-final. the senior tournament in the because it is the semi-fi nal, delaziz Hatim and Bassam al- steered Japan to a record fourth Today’s contest will be played UAE by storm. Almoez has but I think we are feeling con- Rawi through suspension, but Asian Cup title in 2011. in Abu Dhabi in front of a already scored seven goals in fi dent rather than under pres- have Abdelkarim Hassan and “Their results, even before stadium packed with UAE the UAE and is one shy of Ira- sure ahead of the match,” added Assim Madibo available once the Asian Cup, were excellent. supporters who have already nian legend Ali Daei’s all-time Sanchez. again after the duo served a one- They are solid in all departments earned notoriety for ratcheting Asian Cup record. Afif has also “It is a very big game for us, match ban during the quarter- but they have some dangerous up tensions by bringing poli- proven a thorn in the flesh for and we are very pleased to be in fi nal win over Korea Republic. individuals too. “They’ve been tics into sport with their overly rival defences. the semi-fi nals of this very im- While wary of the threat the together for many years,” noted aggressive attitude towards “These players have always portant tournament. Hopefully UAE will pose, Sanchez is ada- the former AC Milan and Lazio Qatar coach Felix the Qataris during Al Annabi’s handled pressure well. For the against the UAE we are going mant that his players are fully boss. Sanchez says his team previous matches. last six years they have been to play to our strengths and try prepared for what is sure to be “And that stability is a source relishes pressure. It’s a situation that would un- doing well. My message to to do our very best to continue another stern test in front of a of great strength for them.” nerve even battle-hardened them is simple: ‘be focused veterans, but according to al- and do your best.’” Ansari that could well turn out Al-Ansari touched upon the to be advantageous for Qatar. UAE’s shenanigans in the lead- “For the first time ever, Qatar up to the tournament, which Hosts go to ridiculous lengths to keep Qatar supporters away has qualified for the semi-finals included denying entry to of the Asian Cup. That in itself five Qatar-based journalists to Agencies high-tension Asian Cup semi- pacity Mohamed Bin Zayed sta- via Qatar’s subscription-only will have too many problems, it’s is a historic achievement,” al- cover the Asian Cup. Abu Dhabi fi nal today. dium will be fi lled up with only beIN Sports, which isn’t availa- far too much trouble for us.” Ansari said. “We are firm believers in the In a telling turn of events, the Emirati fans Saudis and not only ble even in offi cial, tournament- He added: “If we win we are “But considering the way we ethics and values of sport. We Abu Dhabi Sports Council has a sell-out, but also nearly unani- approved hotels. going to cry. We want to show played in our five previous don’t mix politics with sports. ver since Saudi Arabia snapped up all remaining tickets mously behind Alberto Zacch- Qatari fans will, of course, be the UAE that you blockaded us, matches in the tournament, We do things professionally. and its allies triggered off to give away to “loyal UAE fans”, eroni’s white-clad team. watching from afar. Qataris need you gave us too many problems, the kind of performance, team The host nation has certain the Gulf crisis with their it said in a tweet. Losing to Qatar in a home prior permission to visit UAE, but you will never stop us.” spirit and technical level the responsibilities and commit- illegal blockade of Qatar, Long queues formed as sup- semi-fi nal would be embarrass- and with transport links cut they Many others have also been players displayed, I really be- ments. But sadly we faced Ethe UAE has been at the forefront porters waited for their free tick- ing for UAE. Seeing Qatar cel- also need to travel via another put off by the cumbersome proc- lieve we will win,” he added. issues. We have taken this of mixing politics with sports ets, but only people holding Emi- ebrating under their national fl ag country, complicating the jour- ess to get UAE visas. Even after Al-Ansari added that the par- matter to the AFC.” with the aim of inconveniencing rati identifi cation were eligible. in Abu Dhabi would be hard to ney.