Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos (left) and coach Felix Sanchez speak during a press conference on the eve of their Gulf Cup match against Yemen in Kuwait yesterday.
Kuwait, Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos yesterday sounded a bit cautious ahead of his team’s opening Gulf Cup match today, saying opponents Yemen has ‘brilliant players’.
The two sides today open their campaign at Kuwait Sports Club Stadium where Qatar will arrive for the opening encounter as the defending champions.
“We have an important match with an ambitious Yemeni team. We know them well. They are a talented side with players who have very good individual skills,” Al Haydos, 27, said yesterday.
“Their players help them create real problems for any team they face so we will be very careful in this match,” Al Haydos said.
“All our focus now is on the first game against Yemen. This is a tough competition. We do not take any side lightly. It is the same with Yemen,” the star Al Sadd striker said.
When asked about the youngish side picked by coach Felix Sanchez, Al Haydos told reporters: “The coach has taken an excellent step by mixing the young with the experienced players in the squad. In general we do not think about the age issue because what matters on the pitch is how you play the game. I would say there is no great pressure on us. We are only focusing to give our maximum on the pitch.”
Al Haydos congratulated the Kuwaiti Football Association following the FIFA decision recently to lift the ban on the Arab football body.
“We wish Kuwait a great time hosting the Gulf Cup,” the Qatari captain said.
Yemen coach Ethiopian coach Abraham Mebratu said: “We have been warmly looked after in Kuwait. We are delighted to be here.”
