RIYADH: Riding high on good form that saw them beat Australia and DPR Korea recently, Qatar take on hosts Saudi Arabia in their opening clash of the 22nd Gulf Cup that kicks off today.
Coached by Djamel Belmadi, Qatar reached Riyadh on Tuesday and hit the training pitch the same day at King Fahd International Stadium where the boys in maroon play the home team today.
When asked about Qatar’s chances, coach Belmadi said his team was taking one game at a time.
Qatar face Yemen on November 16 and then Bahrain three days later.
“For us, it will be a good experience to play this game. We have important matches coming up (in the 2015 Asian Cup),” Belmadi said.
“I am sure we will be playing in front of a full house at King Fahd International Stadium. We will face similar matches at the Asian Cup (in Australia),” Belmadi said.
“(But) we’ll take one match at a time,” the Algerian said. “Qatar have the potential to win, but we need some outstanding performances and a bit of luck. I’m optimistic about the future,” Belmadi added.
Today’s opening game will be watched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, according to the organisers. Blatter will be accompanied by Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC boss.
Juan Lopez Caro, the Saudi coach, will also feel the pressure as the football-crazy home fans will settle for nothing less than a title win.
“We are making every effort to win this tournament,” the Spaniard said during a press conference yesterday.
Caro, who took over from Frank Rijkaard after last year’s exit at the Gulf Cup, denied his team was under pressure for not-so-impressive results in the run-up to the event.
“I am aware of the importance of this event for Saudi football fans,” he said. “It is never an easy event since we have tough matches in the tournament.
“But my players are full of enthusiasm and we are determined to win in front of our fans,” the Spaniard said.
The event - which ends with the final on November 26 - also features Iraq who finished runners-up to the UAE who bagged their second Gulf Cup title in Bahrain last year.
Group A features Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen while Group B includes the UAE, Iraq, Oman and Kuwait.
The Gulf Cup was scheduled to take place in Basra, Iraq but was shifted after concerns over preparations and security.
Iraq was also due to host the 2013 tournament, but this was moved to Bahrain instead.
After being moved to Saudi Arabia, Jeddah was initially announced as the host city but was later moved to Riyadh.
THE PENINSULA
(All Saudi Arabia times)
Group A matches
13 November 2014 7:00 Saudi Arabia vs Qatar at King Fahd International Stadium
13 November 2014 9:30 Yemen vs Bahrain at King Fahd International Stadium
16 November 2014 5:45 Yemen vs Qatar at King Fahd International Stadium
16 November 2014 8:15 Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain King Fahd International Stadium
19 November 2014 7:45 Saudi Arabia vs Yemen King Fahd International Stadium
19 November 2014 7:45 Bahrain vs Qatar Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
Group B matches
14 November 2014 5:45 United Arab Emirates vs Oman at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
14 November 2014 8:15 Iraq vs Kuwait at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
17 November 2014 5:45 United Arab Emirates vs Kuwait at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium,
17 November 2014 8:15 Iraq vs Oman at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
20 November 2014 7:45 United Arab Emirates vs Iraq at King Fahd International Stadium
20 November 2014 7:45 Kuwait vs Oman at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
Semi-finals
23 November 2014 9:00 Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B at King Fahd International Stadium
23 November 2014 5:45 Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A at King Fahd International Stadium
Third place play-off
25 November 2014 5:45 Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
Final
26 November 2014 7:45 Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 at King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
