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DPA
Abu Dhabi
Qatar goalkeeper Saad al Sheeb has praised the sense of unity in the team at the Asian Cup and is relishing a head-to-head encounter with Saudi Arabia on Thursday to decide the winner of Group E.
While forwards Almoez Ali, tournament top scorer on five goals, and Akram Afif have drawn praise, Al Sheeb says it was a collective effort which brought wins over Lebanon and North Korea for the team.
“Almoez and Akram are very good players and with the help of the other players, have helped Qatar progress,” Al Sheeb said Wednesday.
“We are one team – whether the 11 players who start, those on the bench and the coaching staff.”
“Our strength, as I said, lies in our team spirit. The coach (Felix Sanchez) has prepared us well, whether in attack or defence.”
Qatar have kept two clean sheets while finding the net eight times to top the table on goal difference from the also perfect Saudis.
“When we came here, it was with the plan of taking it one game at a time,” Al Sheeb said. “After two wins, our confidence has been boosted. We will prepare well for the match and our aim is to get the three points.”
While consideration is sometimes given to the merit of finishing first or second, tricky last 16 ties await both teams. The group winners will meet Iran or Iraq while the runners-up face Japan or Uzbekistan.
“Our spirit is high as we really want to do well in the Asian Cup,” the keeper for the Doha club Al Sadd said.
“We have worked very hard and will continue doing so as we want to progress as far as we can in the competition,” he stressed.
Abu Dhabi
Qatar goalkeeper Saad al Sheeb has praised the sense of unity in the team at the Asian Cup and is relishing a head-to-head encounter with Saudi Arabia on Thursday to decide the winner of Group E.
While forwards Almoez Ali, tournament top scorer on five goals, and Akram Afif have drawn praise, Al Sheeb says it was a collective effort which brought wins over Lebanon and North Korea for the team.
“Almoez and Akram are very good players and with the help of the other players, have helped Qatar progress,” Al Sheeb said Wednesday.
“We are one team – whether the 11 players who start, those on the bench and the coaching staff.”
“Our strength, as I said, lies in our team spirit. The coach (Felix Sanchez) has prepared us well, whether in attack or defence.”
Qatar have kept two clean sheets while finding the net eight times to top the table on goal difference from the also perfect Saudis.
“When we came here, it was with the plan of taking it one game at a time,” Al Sheeb said. “After two wins, our confidence has been boosted. We will prepare well for the match and our aim is to get the three points.”
While consideration is sometimes given to the merit of finishing first or second, tricky last 16 ties await both teams. The group winners will meet Iran or Iraq while the runners-up face Japan or Uzbekistan.
“Our spirit is high as we really want to do well in the Asian Cup,” the keeper for the Doha club Al Sadd said.
“We have worked very hard and will continue doing so as we want to progress as far as we can in the competition,” he stressed.
