DOHA: Qatar will launch its football preparations targeting two key events in the next 10 months on May 20, new national coach Djamel Belmadi said.
Qatar will be aiming at glory in the 2014 Gulf Cup to be held in November and then the 2015 Asian Cup to be staged in Australia in January next year.
“This is a very important year for us,” Belmadi said. “We have two key events being played within a period of just three months,” he added.
Last month Belmadi replaced Fahad Thani who was Qatar ‘s coach from February 2012.
“Our preparations will start on May 20,” Belmadi said in a news conference attended by Mansoor Ansari, the Executive Director of the national teams. Team Manager Ahmed Khalil was also present.
Qatar team’s preparation kick-off with training camp in Europe, Belmadi said.
After the training camp, the national squad will break for a month before resuming training in late July.
“Once they resume training in July, the players will join their clubs as Qatar Stars League (QSL) starts in August this year,” Belmadi said.
Belmadi said Qatar will play friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan but did not confirm the dates. The tentative dates for the friendlies are likely to be in September or October.
Fahad Thani, who is in charge of the Olympic squad, said Qatar’s first target is the Olympic Games qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Games.
“We have already started our preparations by planning in advance,” Fahad said. “Our target is qualification for the Rio Olympic Games. We have a clear target in front of us. We are very motivated to deliver thistime,” he added.
Mansour Al Ansari said: “We hope we remain positive on and off the pitch. We want to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup (to be held in Russia).”
“These are all high profile events and we have to deliver,” he said. “Our senior and junior squads are in experienced hands as Djamel Belmadi and Fahad Thani know their jobs They are very committed people,” he said.The Peninsula
