Qatar coach: Ready to face Saudi team, aiming for Gulf Cup 27 final

Jeddah, Feb 2 (KUNA) -- Qatar national football team head coach Julian Lopetegui confirmed on Friday that his squad is ready to face Saudi Arabia in the semi-final of the 27th Gulf Cup of Arab Nations, held in Jeddah, and emphasized that his goal is to reach the final.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, which will take place at King Abdullah Sports City, Lopetegui said the game will be difficult against a team with distinctive players who benefit from home advantage and crowd support. He explained that the coaching staff focused during the short preparation period on restoring the players’ physical and technical readiness, and that the starting lineup has become clear ahead of the encounter.

He added that Qatar has completed its preparations for the match and that the players are ready to face the host nation amid an expected large turnout, noting that the enthusiastic atmosphere provides the team with extra motivation to deliver an outstanding performance.

Lopetegui clarified that the Qatari players possess sufficient experience to handle high-pressure matches, stating that full stands serve as a motivational factor for the team rather than a source of pressure. He stressed that the focus is on technical aspects on the pitch and on how to outperform the opponent.

The coach pointed out that the tight schedule between matches is no excuse, emphasizing the need to balance defensive duties with attacking effectiveness, and to leverage the players’ physical, mental, and tactical capabilities to face the challenge as required.

He noted that while history and statistics are part of the competition, the focus remains on the reality of the current match. He expressed confidence in his players’ ability to deliver a strong performance despite some challenges related to injuries and match pressure, reiterating that the objective is to qualify for the final.

For his part, Qatari national team player Abdulaziz Hatem confirmed his readiness, as well as that of his teammates, for the semi-final clash. He explained that the team used the preparation period to enhance technical and mental readiness, and that the players are aware of the difficulty of facing Saudi Arabia on their home turf and in front of their supporters, while looking forward to qualifying for the final.

Hatem added that the current phase differs from previous periods when Qatar participated in the World Cup, given the presence of new elements and the team’s ongoing development. He confirmed that the national team’s goal in the current tournament is to compete for the title and deliver the best possible performances. (End) K.N.S./M.A.A.