Asian Cup 2019: What is the secret of the level change of the Qatar team?

Many footballers from the Qatar National Football Team (QNB) did not expect the team to play well during the Asian Cup in the UAE.

Last year, Qatar won the Gulf Cup after the group stage against Bahrain.

But today, Al Annabi is in the final of the Asian Cup against Japan after the UAE team swept the semi-final four goals unanswered.

"We entered the tournament as an unskilled team because of our Asian history.We were successful step by step to win a sixth consecutive victory, then we managed to oust a former champion, l & # 39; Iraq, and we have been dealing professionally to reach the final phase, "he told the BBC. .

What are the causes of this level change?

In 2013, the Qatar Football Federation began implementing a long-term plan to draw attention to young aspiring players from the Aspire Academy of Sports Doha.

Only a year later, a team of under-19s was formed, the first winner of Qatar history in the Asian Under-19 Championship, at its 38th edition in Myanmar. This was led by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez Bass.

On July 3, after a successful period of 20 to 23 years with Qatar, Sanchez was the ideal substitute for former Qatar coach Jorge Fusati.

Sanchez ended his career with the same generation he directed for a few years.

Shortly after, Sanchez led his players to their first appearance in the continent's final after winning three Group A matches in the Asian Cup and successfully defeating the last 16 quarterfinals and a half.

Sanchez's six goals have been shaken by 16 goals in the last 16 games, which has left them healthy by surpassing previous champions such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as well as the impressive win over the North Korea and South Korea.

The strengths of the Qatar team are one of the factors contributing to this excellence.

Most players are not born in Qatar and, given the composition of Qatar last year, only four players of Qatari origin.

Some of the pioneers of social networking sites in countries geographically close to Qatar have criticized this team for their non-Qatari origins.

But this is not new. In 2011, non-Qatari players participated in Qatar's Asian Cup, including Sebastian Syria (Uruguay), Hussein Yasser (Egypt), Fabio Cesar (Brazil) and Laurence Kwai (Ghana). .

"The combination of youth and experience has added a lot to the Qatar team," said former Qatar player Ibrahim Khalfan. "We were not surprised by the good performance, but we did not expect to get on the podium.Not forget that the top scorer is Ali Player of the Qatar national team. "

"Winning the Asian title will not be a sign of good competition at the World Cup, but the competition in Cuba will be an indicator," said Khalfan. I think the Qatar Football Federation should keep the coaching staff and players up to the 2022 World Cup, despite the criticisms I have already made about them. "

Al-Annabi will participate in the 2022 World Cup as a host country.

Sports analysts say that continental participation differs from international appearances, including the World Cup.

According to a proposal by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, some said it would not be easy, especially if 48 teams participated instead of 32.

"The goal of building a new generation is to perform well in international tournaments after the announcement of the 2022 World Cup organization in Qatar," said sports analyst Mohammed al-Jazzar. "It's hard to argue for the title, but I think it's going to go to the second round, and we've continued to realize the performance we've seen in Asian countries."

In theory, the competition will not be easy for the Qatar team, but it seems that footballers in Qatar will not only compete in the biggest event of the sport in the world.