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AFC.com
Changzhou
Captain Ahmad Moein feels Qatar must improve on the fourth place they achieved at the AFC U23 Championship two years ago as his side faces Vietnam in the semi-finals of the AFC U 23 tournament's 2018 edition.
Playing on home soil, Qatar powered their way through to the last four in 2016, before defeats to Korea Republic and Iraq saw them miss out on a ticket to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Felix Sanchez's side are, however, flying high once again in China, and enter the game against their Southeast Asian opponents with four wins to their name following a perfect group stage campaign, and a dramatic 3-2 quarter-final defeat of Palestine.
With only 90 minutes separating Al Annabi from a place in the final, Moein is understandably eager to avoid a repeat of their Doha disappointment.
"At the last AFC U23 Championship we finished fourth, and we are in the semi-finals again," said the talented 22-year-old midfielder.
"This time we have to do better than we did then, and qualify for the final and hopefully become champions. We are very motivated for this game (against Vietnam), and we hope to keep doing as well as we have already done in the four games we have played so far."
Standing between Qatar and their bid to reach the final, is a Vietnam team earning rave reviews, especially following their sensational quarter-final victory over Iraq a result which, according to Moein, underlines just how difficult his side's task will be.
"We know that Vietnam are a very good team, and that (the quarter-final) would be tough for Iraq, and Vietnam did it, they beat Iraq. It will not be easy for us.
"I think our experience will help," he said.
