Qatar ready for match against Kuwait

Doha: The interim coach of Qatar team Bruno Pinheiro yesterday noted that Al Annabi will make use of the opportunity of playing at the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup to give much needed international exposure to young players. 

A fresh-faced Qatar squad will begin their Gulf 25 campaign today when they take on Kuwait at Al Minaa Olympic Stadium in Basra. 

Following a dismal run at the home World Cup, many senior players have been rested for the regional tournament. The regular captain Hassan Al Haydos, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Abdelkarim Hassan are among those who have been omitted, as Pinherio and the Qatar Football Association have decided to include a number of youngsters in the team.

“We are trying to give opportunities to the players to be ready for the future. This tournament will give them a good experience. The results of the World Cup were normal due to the pressure of the competition,” Pinherio, who took charge of the team after Felix Sanchez's contract ended last week, said during a press conference in Basra, said.

While the Qatar Football Association searches for a long-term replacement for the Spaniard, Portuguese Pinheiro is in charge temporarily as Qatar pin hopes on the new-look  squad at the eight-nation tournament.

Apart from Qatar and Kuwait, defending champions Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are also in Group B.

 Pinheiro hoped that the youngsters will make use of the opportunity.  

“We are trying to give opportunities to the players to be ready for the future. This tournament will give them a good experience. The results of the World Cup were normal due to the pressure of the competition,” he said. “We did not have enough time to prepare for the tournament, so we could not implement new ideas and methods,”

In Al Haydos’ absence, Ismaeel Mohamed will captain the side. Ismaeel, who has 73 international caps, will make his fourth Gulf Cup appearance but is captaining Qatar for the first time. 

“The first match is always difficult. We are ready and eager to do well. The Gulf Cup is a new experience for the players. The most important thing is to help the team,” he said.