September 21, 2022, 10:51 AM
September 21, 2022, 10:51 AM
Two months after “their” World Cup, the selection of Qatar faces a preparation match without references, with test value, on Friday against Canada in Vienna (13:00 HB), where the Gulf team will meet its public again after four months of training behind closed doors.
In what state of form is the selection of the organizing country? Hard to say, especially after a tough 3-0 loss against Croatia’s Under-23 team on Tuesday in a match without spectators, which fueled much concern among Qatari fans.
From June 2, all national team matches have been developed without an audience.
Even sponsors have been forced to stay away from training venues in Spain and Austria, where Qatari footballers are preparing for their baptism of fire in the opening match against Ecuador (November 20).
Having spent billions of dollars to host the first World Cup in the Middle East, the wealthy country he hopes his team will pass the first round in Group A, where, in addition to Ecuador, the Netherlands and Senegal will be measured.
This week, it’s time for the real test for the Gulf team: his first friendlies with the public in Vienna, against Canada on Friday and Chile on Tuesday, should allow judging the evolution of the team coached by Félix Sánchez since 2017.
– The South Korean example –
The Spanish coach agreed with the Qatari football federation keep all 30 players out of the country and from the prying eyes of his rivals, team spokesman Ali Salat told AFP.
“The coach and the federation were in contact during the season. It was agreed upon,” she said.
The players were released by their clubs Qataris to be able to prepare as well as possible for the big event, when the great European or South American teams will only recover their stars, mobilized for the club championships, on November 14, close to the date of the tournament.
A deadline that should allow Qatar to prepare as well as possible: Sánchez and his team will briefly return to Doha in early October, before returning to Spain for another period of isolation prior to the start of the tournament, Ali Salat said.
Qatar is the lowest ranked team in Group A: 48th in the world according to the FIFA classification.
He failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but won the Asian Cup in 2019 and reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Cup last year.
With eyes on Akram Afif, best player in Asia in 2019, Qatar fans dream of a route similar to that of South Korea in the 2002 World Cup. The co-organizing country of the tournament that year had reached the semifinals.
To have a chance of reaching the Round of 16, Qatar must absolutely beat Ecuador in the opening match on November 20, estimates former local player Mohamed Mubarak al-Mohannadi.
Qatari footballers “prepare for a World Cup for the first time in his life“He tells AFP. “Going abroad for so long is difficult, but the players know their mission.”
“The Qatari people will come to support them, but he wants to see quality football, of which he feels proud”, he adds.
