‘We will try to make Qatar proud’

Doha: Hosts Qatar trained for the second consecutive day at Aspire Zone Training Facility yesterday, with head coach Felix Sanchez calling for fans’ support ahead of the FIFA World Cup opener on Sunday.       

“I hope you will enjoy the World Cup in Qatar and you will support our team,” the head coach said in a video message before team’s training session yesterday.    

“We need your support and we will try to make you feel proud of the team,” said Sanchez. 

The reigning Asian champions underwent several drills during the training session as they prepare for their World Cup debut match against coach Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador, who landed in Doha early yesterday. 

The Qatar coach hoped the team will give a good show against Ecuador for a strong start in the tournament. 

“We waited for a long time to get to this event. Obviously, everyone is looking forward to the tournament,” Sanchez told beIN Sports.  

“We feel proud to be part of the event, and we will try to do our best, play at high levels, and compete with the teams we will face,” he added.

Qatar players were also excited, hoping to excel against tough teams like European giants Netherlands and African champions Senegal in Group A.  

Seasoned midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem said the team is brimming with confidence before they begin their campaign at the Al Bayt Stadium. 

“We have prepared well and our spirits are high. We are having fun. We are relishing this time as the World Cup approaches. I think everyone of us is very proud to be playing for the national team,” he said. 

Qatar’s top goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb said the team is ready to begin the tough challenge. 

“We are very proud to be representing our country in this prestigious tournament. The team is excited and ready and God willing, we will put up a good show,” he said. 

Defender Bassam Al Rawi said home fans will be Al Annabi’s strength during their matches. 

“These are exciting times for us and the fans. Everybody is excited before the first match and we are looking forward to a good show,” he added.        

Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador train 

Meanwhile, it was a busy day for other Group A teams too as the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador also underwent training sessions. Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands held a close training session at Qatar University Training Site 6 to flex for their opening match against Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Monday.    

The Dutch coach praised Qatar facilities as he spoke to reporters.

“I have been here before with Bayern Munich, everything is very perfectly organised, the facilities here are the best,” Van Gaal said.

"The training pitch we have could not be any better. The hotel and organisation has been fantastic. I am really looking forward to the tournament but it is more important that my players feel the same way," he said before adding his team is capable of winning the World Cup.

"I believe we don't have the best players in the world in our team but I believe in team building and tactics and we have players who can execute the tactical plan of the coach," he added.

Struggling with a hamstring injury for two months, Dutch striker Memphis Depay declared himself fit for the World Cup after training with the team yesterday.    

“Training has gone very well. I could do everything I do in a match, only then of course you go full for 90 minutes, over longer distances,” he told reporters.

Aliou Cisse’s Senegal also held a training session at the Al Duhail Training Facility, missing forward Sadio Mane who is nursing an injury to his right fibula. 

The Bayern Munich star was included in the 26-man squad for the World Cup but he is expected to miss “first games”, according to reports. 

After meeting the Netherlands, Senegal face Qatar on November 25 and will take on Ecuador in their last group match on November 29.      

Elsewhere, Ecuador held a training session at the Mesaimeer SC Training Facility under lights late yesterday hours after arriving in Doha.