DOHA: Hosts Qatar need just one more win to seal their berth at the football competition at this summer’s Olympic Games and Qatar Football Association (QFA) knows this is their best chance.
Qatar, coached by Felix Sanchez, are hoping to be one of three top teams at the ongoing AFC U-23 Championship where the hosts take on South Korea today in the semi-finals.
“The level of the team is very good and you saw that in the first four games,” QGA Secretary General Mansoor Al Ansari (pictured) said yesterday.
“The level we are playing at is very good. Results are showing just that. Beating China, Iran, Syria and North Korea has been satisfying,” he said.
Qatar started their campaign with a 3-1 win over China followed by a 2-1 victory over title favourites Iran. In the third game, Qatar hammered Syria 4-2 to reach the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-final last Friday, Qatar beat North Korea after an extra-time battle at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“Sports critics said Group A is the toughest, the hardest in the competition. We are very pleased. I am sure the team, the players, the coach are not going to take any of the future games lightly. Every team wants to go to Rio,” Al Ansari said.
“I believe we have a great chance (to reach Rio). I am confident we will be able to do that because we have the quality to win the championship,” he said.
“God Willing, we are praying and we wish them the best. I wish my team does well (smiles). I do believe we have the capability to win the competition,”Al Ansari said.
In the second semi-final today, Japan take on Iraq at Lekhwiya Stadium.
The January 12-30 event featured 16 teams.
The Peninsula
