Qatar’s Assim Madebo and Brazil’s Gabriel Jesus (left) vie for the ball during a friendly match in Brasilia, in this June 5, 2019 file photo. AFP
Doha: Hosts Qatar face a daunting task in a tough group as they prepare for their maiden FIFA World Cup appearance, but midfielder Assim Madibo said the team is confident ahead of a big challenge.
The Felix Sanchez-coached side that faces the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador in Group A are hoping to get through the first stage to avoid becoming only the second host nation to be knocked out of a World Cup in the group stage. South Africa, who hosted the tournament in 2010, was the only host team to make exit in the first round.
Madibo said as the big kick off nears; the excitement is getting bigger among all the Al Annabi players.
“The excitement in the team is wonderful. We are all confident,” Madibo said on Qatar Football Association twitter.
“We are working towards a single goal; to give a strong show against the top sides of the World. All the players are working like a unit with senior players guiding the junior players in the team,” the 26-year-old said before adding the support of home fans will be important for the Asian champions.
“We are expecting a huge support from our fans, which will be very important for us in our matches,” he said.
Madibo, who is among the midfielders including Karim Boudiaf, Abdelaziz Hatim and Ismail Mohamad named in Sanchez’s 26-man squad on Friday, said he wants to help the team produce a good show.
“My target as an individual is to help team in the best way as we look to earn impressive results in the World Cup,” he said.
The midfielder, who made his debut with the national team in 2017, said appearing in the World Cup will be a proud moment for him.
“I have participated in many tournaments before and now the dream of playing the World Cup finals will be fulfilled. After the World Cup, I will look forward to represent my country at the Olympics,” he said.
Qatar will play the opening match of the tournament against Ecuador on November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Ahead of their opening match, Al Annabi have registered five consecutive wins, beating Albania, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama during their training camp in Marbella, Spain.
Meanwhile, Ecuador played a goalless draw against Iraq in Madrid on Saturday – their last game before the match against Qatar that coach Gustavo Alfaro has rated as a final for his team.
“It’ll be like a Cup final for us because it’ll have a big bearing, both for ourselves and Qatar, on how the group pans out. We’ve got to take that level of enjoyment into the game, but also approach it with a sense of responsibility,” Alfaro had told FIFA+.
