DOHA: Team Qatar Coach, Spaniard Marquez Lopez, expressed happiness with achieving a great victory over the Lebanese national team (3-0) in the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar2023, hailing the fans' support for the national team throughout the two halves of the match.
Lopez said, in a press conference after the match, that the players appeared distinctively and performed what was required of them on the field, stressing that the players must continue in the same approach to continue the journey and achieve the expected feat of defending the continental title.
The coach praised the national team's players in general and the playmaker Akram Afif, who won the Best Player of the Match award, describing him as a distinguished player who deserves the award.
Lopez stressed that the team deserved to win after creating many chances, controlling the match, and managing to score three goals, noting that he was aware before the match of the strengths and weaknesses of the Lebanese team, and was able to utilize them well.
According to Lopez, a big victory in the opening match does not mean qualifying for the second round or competing for the title, noting they need not think beyond this match, and for the team to proceed in the tournament one step at a time, especially since there are two matches in which a positive result must be achieved.
Lopez stressed that assuming the task of coaching the Qatar national team shortly before the start of the Asian Championship is not an adventure at all, considering that his presence in the region for six years has allowed him to know all the Qatari players, as well as the teams on the continent, which has helped him in his mission a lot.