Asian champions Qatar will make their Copa America debut at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday – against a rebuilding and two-time champions Paraguay with the match scheduled to begin at 10pm Doha time. The last time the two teams met in a friendly, Qatar had emerged winners 2-0 in November, 2009.
Pitted against Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Colombia in Group B of the South American football fest, Felix Sanchez’s team are not short on confidence – despite a 2-0 loss to Brazil in a warm-up friendly, the team bounced back to beat local side Madureira Sports Club 2-1 in a closed-door game.
Qatar received support ahead of their debut from the South American football federation CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, who said, “Qatar players have to be strong, they are the Asian champions and the future of Qatar football.
“On the pitch it is 11 vs 11, so they have to be brave. Importantly, they need to belive in themselves, they are already the champions of Asia.”
Former 1994 World Cup winner from Brazil, Rai Souza Vieira de Oliveira said fans would be excited to see Qatar players in action.
“The Brazilian fans are excited to see the Qatar natioanl team play. We hope the team enjoys playing football in our country and hopefully they are up to the task to achieve success,” he said.
Qatar coach Sanchez has however warned his players of the challenge.
“Playing in the Copa America will be a huge challenge, because we are not used to playing against South American teams, but my players are confident that they will be able to give their best,” Sanchez had stressed recently.
“Talking about possible results is not easy.
“We have three very tough opponents, but what I am sure of is that after that tournament we will be a better team,” the Spaniard had said.
Sanchez has stuck with his young core of stars, who he has coached since their developmental years at the Aspire Academy.
The likes of Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and versatile defender Bassam al Rawi who has recovered in time from a niggling injury are set to make their mark again on the big stage.
“Since our squad has many young players, we look forward to gaining as much experience as possible in this high-profile tournament,” said Sanchez.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s opponents Paraguay have won just one game in four since the start of the year. New coach Eduardo Berizzo had acknowledged earlier that his mission is to prepare the team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“In the near future we have the Copa América, but we do not stop seeing what comes next,” he said.
“The big dream is to take Paraguay back to a World Cup but I think this tournaments can give great preparation on the way to Qatar,” the former Sevilla of Spain coach said.
Al Annabi and fellow Asian Football Confederation (AFC) side Japan are the two invited countries to this year’s Copa, making Qatar the ninth selection outside of CONMEBOL to contest this event (Mexico, Costa Rica, United States, Honduras, Panama, Japan, Jamaica and Haiti are the other eight). The Maroons will also be the second Asian team in the Copa America, behing Japan in 1999.
Qatar will also participate in 2020 edition of Copa America alongside Australia as invited teams. For now though, the Maroons can show Copa America lovers why they are reckoned as an Asian force.
