Qatar coach Felix Sanchez and midfielder Ismail Mohamad during the pre-match press conference yesterday.
Doha: Head coach Felix Sanchez has vowed Asian Cup 2019 winners Qatar will give their best effort as they face reigning African champions Algeria in the semi-final of the FIFA Arab Cup.
Tonight’s clash between the continental champions at the Al Thumama Stadium is seen as the toughest test for the home team, which is the only side to win four consecutive matches in the ongoing tournament.
Al Annabi have defeated Bahrain, Oman and Iraq in the group stage before toppling the United Arab Emirates – all Gulf rivals – in the quarter-finals, and tonight's semi-final will be the first time they will confront an African side in this Arab Cup.
Algeria, who are also unbeaten in the tournament, showed nerves of steel when they edged out their North African rivals Morocco on penalties in the epic quarter-final battle on Saturday to solidify their status as title favourites.
The Desert Warriors will be back to full strength tonight with the return of striker Baghdad Bounedjah, who completed the six-day concussion protocol that followed his injury against Egypt in the group stage.
Sanchez, however, was confident of a good performance from his team against Algeria, which he believed was another challenge for his team.
“We have gone through four real tests so far and tomorrow is going to be another real test for us. We will have another opportunity and we will go with the ambition to reach the final,” Sanchez told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“We are champions of Asia because we deserve it and Algeria are the champions of Africa because they really deserve it. So it’s going to be a game in which both the teams have one objective. We will give all our best efforts,” he added.
Qatar and Algeria face off rarely with their last meeting dating back to 2015 when Al Annabi were 1-0 winners in a Doha friendly. However, players from both the sides are familiar with each other due to Algerian players’ participation in the QNB Stars League (QSL). These players include Bounedjah, Yacine Brahimi, Youcef Belaili, Mehdi Tahrat and Djamel Benlamri.
But Sanchez said the home team will not be the only side to benefit from Desert Warriors’ presence in the QSL.
“I think these [QSL] players will be in starting XI for Algeria but it doesn’t give us any advantage because they know us as well. We are facing an African side, which is best in their continent. They have a strong team that has a clear idea how to play with high rhythm,” said Sanchez before adding tonight’s match is important for Qatar in their World Cup preparations also.
“We have played in Americas and Europe and meeting a top African side one year before the World Cup will be a very good experience for us,” he added.
Sanchez added a change in venue will not make difference for Qatar, who have played three Arab Cup matches at the 60000-seater Al Bayt Stadium.
“It will not be an excuse for us if we couldn’t get good result. We have seen Al Thumama Stadium and the pitch is perfect. Both the teams will get good support there,” he added.
Qatari forward Ismail Mohamad, meanwhile, said the team is looking forward to give a collective show against the African champions.
“It’s an important game and we are ready to give our best against Algeria. We are working as a unit and will display our best performance to win the semi-final,” he said.
Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra during a press conference yesterday.
Algeria will give their 200 percent against Qatar: Bougherra
Meanwhile, Algerian coach Madjid Bougherra said his players are eyeing a place in the final and are ready to take on Qatar.
“We started preparing for Qatar the next morning after our win over Morocco,” Bougherra told reporters yesterday.
“Since the beginning we have been preparing for every match as a final. We are lucky to have players who are competitive in their mindset. They know exactly what they are needed to do. They are raring to go,” Bougherra, who confirmed availability of all his players, said.
To a query, the Algerian coach said: “Qatar is the host country and there are playing in front of home fans. They will have slight pressure but it is normal. We take every game as a final. My team will be giving 200 percent tomorrow to win this challenge.”
The 39-year-old, who also played in Qatar during his career, echoed Sanchez views when asked about Algerian players’ presence in the QSL.
“As a coach, it’s always great to know the players and know things about the opponents. But it is the same for Qatar, who know our players as well. It’s an important factor because football is about small details, knowing players, their weaknesses and strong points.”
