Qatar players participate in a training session.
Doha, Qatar: The mood inside Qatar’s camp was understandably sombre in the immediate aftermath of the crushing defeat to Canada, but Pedro Miguel insists Al Annabi have not lost belief as they prepare for one final push to keep their FIFA World Cup hopes alive.
Qatar head into their decisive Group B clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in Seattle knowing there is no room for error. Victory is essential if they are to reach four points and preserve any chance of advancing under the expanded tournament format, which also offers places to the best third-placed teams.
Even then the task remains complicated, and Julen Lopetegui’s side will likely need to significantly improve their negative goal difference while hoping results elsewhere work in their favour.
Julen Lopetegui
Yet Miguel believes the team’s response to adversity will define them.
“The Qatari national team still has a strong motivation to finish the tournament on a high note, and we still have a very important match ahead of us,” the defender told media on the sidelines of training at the team’s Santa Clara base camp.
“We will fight to win and to make our fans happy. We cannot allow this loss to undo all the work we have done over the past period.”
Canada’s 6-0 victory in Vancouver left deep scars, both mathematically and emotionally. Jonathan David struck a hat-trick as the hosts capitalised after Qatar were reduced to nine men following the dismissals of Homam Al Amin and Assim Madibo.
Miguel admitted the players have taken collective responsibility for a performance that fell well below expectations.
“All the players feel fully responsible for the result, and we are not shirking responsibility or making excuses,” he said.
“When you lose by this margin, you have to be brave enough to admit that the performance wasn’t up to par. We are all responsible, from the first player to the last on the pitch.”
Pedro Miguel
The experienced defender pointed to Qatar’s difficult start and the sending-off incidents as decisive moments.
“I think the start of the match wasn’t ideal for us. We conceded an early goal that gave the Canadian team a significant psychological advantage, and then the red card made things even more difficult,” he said.
“When you play against a strong team on their home ground, in front of their fans, and you’re down to ten men, things become extremely challenging.”
He said that mistakes proved costly against an opponent ruthless enough to punish them.
“The team tried to regroup after the first red card, but small details played a significant role in widening the gap. In such international tournaments, any mistake is immediately punished.”
Despite the magnitude of the defeat, Miguel rejected suggestions that it reflected Qatar’s true level. Only days earlier, Al Annabi had earned a creditable 1-1 draw against Switzerland in an encouraging opening display.
“Just a few days ago, we played a strong match against a well-organised Swiss team and managed to come away with a positive result,” he said.
“Therefore, I believe that what happened does not represent the true nature of this team or the quality of its players.”
The emotional toll of the loss was evident inside the dressing room.
“The players’ morale in the locker room after the match was honestly very low,” Miguel said.
“The sadness was palpable. I didn’t see a single player who wasn’t affected by the result.”
But the atmosphere has gradually shifted from disappointment to determination.
“Despite the sadness and the painful loss, I saw a positive spirit among the players,” he added.
“Yes, we are disappointed, but no one has given up or raised the white flag. Everyone is talking about the need to get back on our feet quickly and prepare for the next match in the best possible way.”
For Miguel, Qatar’s immediate priority is restoring composure.
“We need to regain our mental balance first, then our physical balance. That’s the real challenge now,” he said.
While acknowledging the expectations of an entire nation, he insisted the players would not be overwhelmed by pressure.
“We understand the value of being here and we know that an entire nation is watching us and expecting a lot from us,” he said.
“Therefore, we will give our all in the next match and play calmly and with focus.”
Miguel reserved special praise for the travelling supporters who stood by the team despite the heavy defeat.
“First, I would like to apologise to the Qatari fans who traveled thousands of kilometers to support us,” he said.
“We promise you that we will give our all in the next match,” Miguel said.
“This loss is truly painful, but it will not break our spirit or make us stop believing in ourselves. Great teams are measured by how they react after difficult moments, and now is the time for us to show the true character of the Qatari national team.”
