Canberra: Qatar will look to the next two matches to turn things around following an unexpected defeat at the hands of the UAE in their opening Asian Cup clash, coach Djamel Belmadi said yesterday.
“We will not give up on hopes of advancing in this tournament,” Belmadi said. “We have two games remaining. It was a disappointing show but will continue to improve,” the Algerian said.
“When you lose 4-1 in the first game there’s nothing to take,” an angry Belmadi told reporters.
“Now we have to play against Iran, who qualified for the last World Cup. We are already under pressure after the game today and we have to make it a massive match.”
Belmadi admitted it was going to be a challenge to turn around his side’s fortunes at the 16-nation tournament.
“The group is strong, the group is tough, all the teams are good,” he said. AGENCIES
