Qatar players share a light moment during team’s training session ahead of the quarter-final.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar head coach Ilidio Vale has said his side doesn’t “fear any team” as the hosts face former champions Japan in the first quarter-final of the AFC U23 Asian Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium today.
Seeking a spot for this year’s Paris Olympics which can be earned by finishing among the three sides, Qatar started their campaign topping their group with two wins and a draw but they face their toughest test so far in Japan, who won the title in 2016 and have appeared in all Olympic tournaments since 1996.
Vale, however, was unperturbed ahead of the clash against the pre-tournament favourites as he reposed confidence in his ranks.
“Our aim is to qualify for Olympics, and the team is on the right track,” Vale told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“This is a team that can win against any team. We do not fear other teams.”
The 66-year-old Portuguese said Qatar is also taking a lot of motivation from the national senior team, which won second consecutive Asian Cup title in February.
“The senior team won the last two Asian Cups and this gives the under 23 players a very positive morale boost. It doesn’t put pressure on them because this is a different competition,” he said.
Vale said Al Rayyan forward Ahmed Al Rawi, who scored in the opening match against Indonesia before missing the next two games due to injury, is uncertain for the match.
“I’m only going to have him join the game if he is 100 percent ready for it.”
Japan head coach Go Oiwa, meanwhile, was aware of a challenge from the home side as he hinted aggressive approach from his team, which is coming from a 1-0 defeat to South Korea in their final group match.
“We know the fans have a good impact on the team but it’s a one-off game and we’re going to focus on that and we won’t let that affect our team,” he said.
“We know Qatar usually enters a game very enthusiastically but we also need to show our aggressiveness regarding our attacking skills,” Oiwa added.
Indonesia brace for South Korea test
The second quarter-final today will see debutants Indonesia meeting South Korea at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Indonesia, cleared Group A behind Qatar past Jordan and Australia with coach Shin Tae-yong hoping his side to tame the mighty Koreans, who topped Group B.
“Korea Republic is of course strong in terms of physique, fitness and pace, and… they have strong tenacity,” Shin said. “Their defensive line is strong and concrete. It is difficult but we are working on detailed plans to break through their defensive lines. They also have strength and power and we must take care of their (prowess at) set-pieces.”
South Korea coach Hwang Sun-hong said his team is completely focused on reaching the semi-finals.
“The boys were determined to win every match and they performed very well [in group stage] so I am pleased with that. But that is already history and what is important is what is ahead of us, and we will do our best to prepare for tomorrow’s match and win,” he said.
