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Srecko Katanec is waiting for a "big challenge" when Iraq confronts Qatar in the last 16 of the Asian Cup, but warned opponents on their side that their impressive group record will count for little. Qatar has qualified for the round of 16 with a perfect return to Group E, overtaking Lebanon, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Felix Sanchez scored 10 goals and did not concede one time, allowing their opponents only three shots on target in total in their three matches – less than any other camp.
Iraq finished second in its group, taking six out of six points against Vietnam and Yemen before being held 0-0 by Iran, which has claimed first place set up a clash with China. Have seen jordan, another team boasting of having a perfect defensive record after three games, to be knocked out by Vietnam on penalties, head coach of Iraq Katanec said nothing is certain.
"Our shape is good but we must be on our guard against Qatar, "he said at a press conference. Jordan entered its match against Vietnam after not conceded a goal but the first one that they did was enough to eliminate them of the tournament. "
"Qatar will be a huge challenge because they are very adept at changing tactics and training. My message to the players is that we have to be quick to adjust to Qatar. We took one game at a time and I did not put pressure on the players saying that we must win. Players are however determined to give joy to their compatriots and we will do our best against Qatar. "
Katanec has been in charge of Iraq for just five months, against 18 months at the bar of the opposite number Sanchez. This just marks the third time Qatar progressed from the group stage, victim of elimination in the first qualifying round on two previous occasions, bowing to face China in 2000 and Japan in 2011.
The former Barcelona youth coach, Sanchez, who has made his way into the ranks of Qatar in his current position as team leader, recognizes the importance of staying focused for this next big challenge to avoid the same fate as Jordan.
"It's the elimination phase and it all boils down to a match. A defeat and we go home, "he said at a press conference. We also did not concede a goal in the group stage, but all this can change in an instance and we could be eliminated. It's something that we do not want to arrive and the players know that there must be Meme it full concentration. "
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Qatar – Almoez Ali
In addition to having a faultless record in the group stage, Qatar also scored 10 goals unmatched. Ali was responsible for seven of them, including four in North Korea 's 6-0 defeat. Only Iranian Ali Daei scored more goals in one round of the tournament, with eight in 1996.
Iraq – Mohanad Ali
If Iraq wants to qualify for the quarterfinals, it will probably have to cross the net of his opponent. Striker Mohanad Ali – the youngest player in the Asian Cup – scored the first goal of the win against Yemen and Vietnam.
KEY OPTICAL FACTS
- – Qatar finished first in the group stage of the Asian Cup for the first time – in their last two advances in the round of 16, they lost the first try: against China in 2000 and against Japan in 2011.
- – Qatar has allowed its opponents only three shots in aggregate in their three live matches of the 2019 Asian Cup groups; less than any other side.
- – Iraq has not won the elimination phase of the Asian Cup since the victory in competition in 2007 (D1-L3), although it won on penalties in Quarterfinal of the 2015 edition after a draw in normal with Iran.
- – Qatar's Akram Hbadan Afif has created the greatest number of scoring opportunities in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the group stage (10) and also scored four goals, including no player has succeeded in more.
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