DOHA: Al Rayyan coach Fossati yesterday applauded the performance of his Qatar Stars League (QSL) title winning side, saying the ‘players responded well’ to his plans.
On Saturday, Al Rayyan beat Al Wakrah 5-0 to claim their 20th win of the season. The win at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium was sufficient for Al Rayyan to nail their 8th QSL title.
In the on-going season, Al Rayyan’s only defeat has come against Al Sadd when the two sides clashed on December 10.
It has been a remarkable journey for Al Rayyan who were demoted to the second division at the end of 2013-14 season.
Al Rayyan won the second division title the following season and got the promotion to QSL.
Since September last year, it has been Al Rayyan all the way with just one blip against Al Sadd almost three months ago.
“It is easy to say that I changed the style of football at Al Rayyan when I took over at the beginning of this season,” Fossati said in an interview.
“But that would be unfair to the previous coach and the team, who had a good run in the second division in the second half of last season,” Fossati told www.sc.qa.
“All I have done is tried to impart my ideas and philosophy of football and the players have to take all the credit because they have responded well. The same goes with Al Sadd when I coached them to the AFC Champions League in 2011,” Fossati said.
The experienced Uruguayan guided Al Sadd to the AFC Champions League title in 2011.
“It would have been crazy to set a target at the beginning of the season to be 18 points ahead at the top of the standings after 20 rounds,” Fossati said
“Initially the target was to bring back the smiles to the fans and to improve our standards game by game. Then we revised it to a top four finish. It was only three rounds ago that we upgraded to winning the league,” he said.
Fossati promised to Al Rayyan fans that his side will keep working hard to win more trophies.
“We just need to continue playing good football and keep the winning mentality for the remaining part of the season. Winning by a historic margin is the icing on the cake. Now we need to focus on the Qatar Cup and Emir Cup. And regaining the league next season,” Fossati said.
Fossati said he is not focusing yet on his new club replicating the triumph he achieved in the AFC Champions League with Al Sadd in 2011.
“Right now the target is to hopefully defend the league successfully next season. Asia is not on the radar,” Fossati said
Fossati believes the football revolution he is heralding at Al Rayyan will also help build a strong national team ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
“Interest in Qatar football is growing. There is a big positive difference now from the time I managed Al Sadd. Stakeholders of Qatar football must have one target before 2022 – a strong national team,” Fossati explained.
“This is possible only with strong clubs. It is a feasible target as most Qatar national team players play in the Qatar league. The level of the Qatar Stars League is improving season by season and Inshallah I can continue helping in my own humble way,” he said.
The 63-year-old tactician, however, added with a smile that talking about a strong national team for 2022 can be a bit premature.
“I am convinced that Qatar can go far in 2018 qualification. The team must be positive in the third round of qualification – they must believe that they are better than most teams. I agree that Japan and South Korea are a step ahead but Qatar are on the same level as Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE,” he said.
Daniel Carreno’s Qatar boys have secured qualification to the third round after topping Group C in the second round Asian qualifiers.
They will host Hong Kong on March 24 and travel to China on March 29 to complete their assignments – the results of these matches having no bearing to their position in the group standings.
“Qatar must believe in themselves ahead of the third round of qualifiers for Russia 2018. I remember when I was the national coach we got Australia, Japan, Uzbekistan in the draw for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers,” Fossati said.
“Many people asked me if it was time to quit my job, but I said I will continue and we will compete on even terms.”
“Now, Qatar’s standards have shot up while those of these teams have dropped – yes I will include Asian champions Australia in that list,” he said.
Fossati believes that the national team’s standards will continue rising till the country hosts the showpiece event in 2022.
“I am confident Qatar will have a good national team by 2022 and also that it will be the best ever World Cup ever because of factors such as logistics, football facilities and organisational skills.”
The Peninsula
