ABU DHABI • Coming from nowhere to win the Asian Cup is just part of Qatar's long road to their home World Cup in 2022.
Felix Sanchez's team are keeping their expectations in check for the Copa America, the South American championship where they are guests along with Japan beginning in June, despite snatching the Asian title as a lowly world No. 93 side.
But it is hard to overstate their feat - from zero points in Australia 2015 to their first continental title in record-breaking style.
It also means that resource-rich Qatar are finally making headlines for the right reasons after the turbulence that surrounded their successful bid to host world football's showpiece.
Almoez Ali's bicycle-kick opener epitomised a stylish triumph, 3-1 over Japan in the final, as he broke Ali Daei's 23-year-old mark for goals at a single Cup.
"I'm sorry for breaking Mr Daei's record," a humble Ali said after scoring his ninth of the Cup.
"I expected to score goals, maybe three or four, but I didn't expect to score nine."
Fittingly for a team who have punched above their weight, Akram Afif struck a boxing-style pose as he celebrated the late penalty to end Japan's resistance, after they briefly threatened a comeback when 2-1 down.
Qatar conceded just one goal all tournament and scored 19, winning all seven games and beating other former champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea.
They also thrived in a hostile environment in the United Arab Emirates owing to the ongoing Gulf blockade, with their fans largely barred from visiting and home spectators pelting them with shoes and bottles in the semi-finals.
The title raised the beguiling possibility of Qatar being crowned champions of both Asia and South America, although they will first have to get out of a group comprising Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay.
But Ali said the Copa is about continuing the methodical approach that has already paid dividends.
"We're not expecting to win, but just to learn - because, after the World Cup, the Copa is the biggest competition in the world," he said.
"Asia is the weakest continent for football so, in the Copa America, we will learn more. This will help us have a better performance in 2022."
After spending many millions of petrodollars on their world-class Aspire Academy, and scouring the world for top coaches, Qatar are beginning to recoup their investment. Head coach Sanchez led Qatar to their first Asian Under-19 title in 2014 and they reached the U-23 semi-finals last year, when Ali was also top scorer.
Afif chalked up a tournament-record 10 assists and formed a devastating partnership with Ali, underlining Qatar's cohesion in both defence and attack after years spent playing together.
"We've been together seven years so I know exactly where Akram will be, where he will pass and he always knows what to expect from me," Ali said. "We get along very well together too."
Qatar's win sparked jubilant scenes back home but, for the team, bigger goals now lie ahead.
"This is one step more to continue developing the team, to play another tournament in the summer and to be ready in 2022 to represent Qatar," Sanchez said.
For Japan, captain Maya Yoshida was aggrieved about Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov's decision to award a penalty for handball against him after a video review.
"That third goal was really tough to accept," he said. "It killed the game. If that's a penalty, I probably have to jump without using my arms. It was accidental but that was the referee's decision."
He added: "But they played well and deserve to be champions.
"No excuses, we move on."
The Samurai Blue are grouped with Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador for the Copa. But he hopes the setback will help them make a breakthrough beyond the last 16 at the World Cup.
He said: "Our first target is, of course, to qualify and then get over the wall at which we were stopped last time, the round of 16. That is an objective for Japanese football."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Juve's old guard bidding to finish job against Ajax kids Turin side has the edge on away goals thanks to Ronaldo's 125th Champions League goal in a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam By AFP
Juve's old guard bidding to finish job against Ajax kids
Spurs are approaching the home stretch of securing their place in the top four and have a massive two legs against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals to contend with. Moura reckons that his team need to believe their own hype and play with confident to recover from the defeat to Southampton before the international break.
San Antonio Spur Schedule
AD
fanical.com/San-Antonio-Spurs
Report Ad
Basketball Games & Updates. Basketball Blogs, Forums & News
However Pochettino went on to distance himself from the rumours, more or less re-affirming his commitment to Spurs by saying: "I have just signed a long contract with Tottenham and I am very happy here." There was rumour that Pochettino's contract with Spurs included a clause that would allow him to leave in the instance of an offer from
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would `have to listen´ to
Football: Chelsea move into third spot above Tottenham after
Ex-FAS gen sec Lee withdraws from AFC exco contest, Soccer Information & Prime Tales; Bethesda Breaks Fallout 76 No Pay-To-Win-Promise With Restore Kits; Breaking!!! President Muhmmadu Buhari Secures New Entrance; LaLiga Santander: We discuss Messi, however the day Luis Suarez leaves Barcelona…
Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi and Alonso - Newest Chelsea group
Home snap Albirex's title-winning streak The long trophy streak has, at long last, been broken. After hoovering up all 11 trophies on offer in the previous three seasons, Albirex Niigata finally tasted defeat when Home United triumphed 5-4 on penalties to lift the Community Shield last night as the new Singapore Premier League (SPL) season
Derby boss Frank Lampard hits back at Leeds fans with Spygate
sportslifetale.com/soccer/derby-boss-frank-lampard-hits-back-at-leeds-fans-with-spygate-dig-after-play-off-triumph/
Following their first-leg win at Pride Park, Leeds fans mocked Lampard over the spying scandal with a chant to Oasis' 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' which sang: "All of the spies are hidden away, just try not to worry, you'll beat us some day. We beat you at home, we beat you away, stop crying Frank Lampard."
Albirex Niigata vs. Home United - Football Match Report
(Reuters) - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1 draw is all the more remarkable given what is at stake for the
Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship in Villa draw
LONDON (Reuters) - Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little chance anyone aboard had survived. Sala, Cardiff City's new signing, and the plane's
Rescuers end search for plane carrying missing soccer star
SINGAPORE: Eight of the Singapore Premier League's (SPL) locally-based clubs will share four stadiums as part of a new initiative aimed at consolidating resources and improving match-day
Albirex's Yamazaki eyes unbeaten SPL season starting with
Liverpool forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will miss Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona through injury. Salah left the pitch on a stretcher after an aerial
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino ruled out of FC
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open their qualifying
Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech Republic
Kadir Yahaya joins Tampines Rovers as an adviser. He has been described as one of the most astute local coaches in recent times and it was no wonder when Tampines Rovers decided to recruit former Singapore international Kadir Yahaya in an adviser role.
Tampines Rovers live score, schedule and results - Football
apps to watch live streaming soccer
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
tv soccer live stream sky
watch premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch premier league live stream hd
watch champions league live streaming now
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch premier league live in stream
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch premier league live streaming video
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch soccer games live stream free
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch soccer live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch premier league games live stream
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch soccer live stream app
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch champions league live streaming juventus
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming eng
#GarageCafeDxb #kickoff #liverpoolcity #nutmeg #livestreams #boxing #Celtic #valcea #adidasslipon #oudmehta #gooners #Barcelona #lionelmessi #visubal #realmadrid #ronaldo #champion #liverpool #rockstar #messi #england #ignoranza #manchesterunited #neymar #Suarez #footballstreaming #ucl #kroenkeout #championship #goodday #golazo #meunier #trollfootball #elcasico #Sunday #comico #realmadrid #Vip45 #freekicks #oasisandbeatles #barcelona #transfernews #panini #comics #noelgallagher #fcbarcelona #PartyTime #afcnews #golf #coffeebreak #chocolatecoffee #satira #footballdubai #MyDubai #serieatim #manchestercity #roadtrip #henderson #myfootballuniverse #midnight #championsleague #mensnightout #juventus #commento #calciatoribrutti #chocolate #liverpoolfc #bayernmunich #insegreto #oasis #liverpool #cristianoronaldo #cappucino #conference #beatifulgame #pagani #soccerbible #commentimemorabili
No comments:
Post a Comment