Qatar's Almoez celebrates after scoring against Lebanon during Asian Cup opening match at Lusail Stadium on January 12.
Doha, Qatar: Almoez Ali is just four goals behind legendary Iranian striker Ali Daei’s record of overall 14 goals in the Asian Cup.
The striker will continue his hunt for more goals, not with an aim to become the all-time top scorer in the tournament but to help Qatar clinch back-to-back titles.
“The goals will come but the team comes first and Almoez Ali comes second,” the Al Duhail striker said on the eve of Qatar’s last 16 clash against Palestine at Bayt Stadium tonight.
Almoez scored one goal in Qatar’s opening 3-0 victory against Lebanon after smashing nine goals in team’s title triumph at the UAE 2019. That feat itself was a record for highest number of goals in a single edition of the continental showpiece.
“Personal achievements are not what I focus on. I focus on the team. We take it one match at a time,” the 27-year-old said.
“I’m very proud to represent Qatar in 107 international games. I always think of trying to help my teammates and the team. At the end of the day, it’s the team that needs to score, not which player is scoring. We work hard and we hope for the best.”
After being rested by coach Marquez Lopez in the last group match against China, Almoez is looking forward to excel against a resolute Palestine side.
“We’re responsible; we treat the match just like any other qualifying game. We will be ready for the match. We will try to create chances and we will try to be aggressive in the box and hopefully, we can break the Palestinian defence to score.
“The match will be very important for the Qatari team. We’re the champions and we know the importance of this stage. Hopefully our tactics will lead us to victory and move onto the next stage.”
Almoez also praised playmaker Akram Afif with whom he has formed a formidable pair in the tournament.
“Yes, the relationship with my brother Akram is close, 10 years of communication and friendship. I call him Mr Assister because he creates so much for me and the other players. We’re always helping each other and we’re all like a family. Akram is a player and a coach for us because he finds solutions for us and we’re lucky to have him in our team.”