Qatari star Akram Afif (foreground) and team-mates train ahead of quarter-final clash against Palestine yesterday.
CHANGZHOU: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez yesterday said his players are ready to take on quarter-finals opponents Palestine, saying the AFC U-23 Asian Cup clash today will see Al Anabi showcasing an attractive brand of football.
Qatar are unbeaten after three matches at the region’s top national Olympic team event. Palestine come into the match at Changzhou Sports Centre with 1 win, 1 draw and a loss.
“We have every confidence in our ability and we will try to play a good game as that is the only way we can get a result,” Sanchez said during a press conference yesterday.
Sanchez said despite his team showing good form, he would not underestimate the Asian rivals.
“We are happy that we qualified from the group stage but obviously that does not count for the next game,” Sanchez said.
“It really does not matter if you have got nine or six points from the group stage, because it is just one (knockout) game. What matters is now. We know that from now on, each game could well be our last,” he added.
“We are going to face a very strong team who had a very good group stage, especially in their last match,” he said.
In the first stage that ended on Monday, Qatar beat Uzbekistan, Oman and host nation China to finish top of Group A with a maximum nine points. Palestine coach Ayman Sandouqa said Qatar remained a threat.
“Of course, this match against Qatar is going to be a difficult one for us,” Sandouqa, the former Palestine Under-16 and Under-19 coach, said.
“We have been working hard in the group stage to succeed and we have reached a point where we have been getting better and better,” he added.
“We are going to go into the game in a positive frame of mind and we are looking to get the win and go through,” Sandouqa said.
“We have been taking baby steps to reach this point. The match is going to be a difficult one for both teams. There is not only going to be pressure on Qatar as we are satisfied with what we have done so far, and are looking to progress even further,” he added.
Qatar will be hoping to see attacking form from the likes of Akram Afif and hotshot striker Almoez Ali who has scored three goals in the tournament. Afif has one goal to his name.
