ABU DHABI (AFP) - Qatar coach Felix Sanchez shrugged off comparisons to Pep Guardiola on Friday (Feb 1) after masterminding a breathtaking Asian Cup victory just three years before the 2022 World Cup on home turf.
Almoez Ali scored a tournament-record nine goals and the Maroons conceded only once as they swept to the first continental title in their history, beating Japan 3-1 in the final.
Ali said he saw shades of Manchester City's Guardiola in Sanchez, who coached Barcelona's youth players before joining Qatar's national academy in 2006 and working his way through the ranks.
"I've been working with him for nine years, he's highly intelligent," said the 21-year-old striker.
"I compare him to Guardiola because he has the same ideas."
But Sanchez told AFP that Ali only made the comment "because I'm there (listening) and he wants to keep playing".
"I've worked with Almoez for a very long time and we have good relationship," the Spaniard said.
"He's very easy to coach because he's a hard worker and he deserves everything that has happened to him in this tournament."
Â
Â
Â
Qatar upset former champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea on their march to the final, but those weren't the only challenges they faced.
The Qataris were pelted with shoes and plastic bottles by a hostile home crowd as they beat the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in the semi-finals.
The UAE then lodged a protest over the eligibility of Ali and defender Bassam Al-Rawi which was dismissed just hours before the final.
Sanchez insisted he had "no concerns" about the eligibility row and also dismissed speculation that notoriously trigger-happy Qatar might replace him with a big-name coach before the World Cup.
"I'm very proud to be the Qatar national team coach. Today we made history. I'm only thinking about today. It's a great day for me and the players and the country," Sanchez said.
"There's always news about this person and that person but we're focused on our work and we have the full support of the QFA.
"So no concerns about the World Cup, it's in 2022 and you don't even know what's going to happen in two weeks."
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. "There's no doubt that Colombia
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/18/iran-coach-queiroz-set-for-colombia-switch-after-asian-cup/
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup AFP January 18, 2019 AFP No Comments Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup.
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
Football: Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard Hazard's future is a source of fevered speculation, with the player refusing to extend his current Chelsea deal, which expires
Football: Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual
Real Madrid 'set to unveil Eden Hazard at the Bernabeu on Monday' after club agree £115m fee with Chelsea. Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid for £115m
Report: Hazard Finalizing Deal To Join Real Madrid
Liverpool pulled off one of the most stunning fightbacks in Champions League history on Tuesday as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Barcelona.
Five great Champions League comebacks- The New Indian Express
Real Madrid have been aided by two penalties in their 2-1 Spanish La Liga win at Levante, which left them nine points behind leaders Barcelona. Bale penalty gives below-par Real Liga win Home
Gareth Bale penalty gives below-par Real Madrid win at Levante
BAKU: Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's chances of playing
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final
Jun 06, 2019 · KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan's pro-democracy leaders continued on Thursday to press a campaign of civil disobedience after a deadly military crackdown this week, but a show of force by government
Football: Valencia pile more misery on Barcelona by winning Copa del Rey final. 1 week ago. Barcelona wanted a trophy to ease their Champions League heartache but instead fell to another shock defeat as Valencia pulled off a thrilling 2-1 victory on Saturday to win the Copa del Rey. Chasing a
It's the Sids 2019! The complete review of La Liga's 2018-19
Neymar to miss United tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks tie against Manchester United after the French club confirmed on Wednesday that the world's most expensive player would be out for
Neymar to miss United tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom shines in Lionel Messi's absence as Philippe Coutinho struggles he remained at Liverpool and made himself the star of Jurgen Klopp's team. Instead he chose a
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom shines in Lionel Messi's
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has backed Gonzalo Higuain to earn a permanent move for Stamford Bridge next season. Higuain moved to Chelsea during the January transfer window on loan from Juventus, having spent the first half of the campaign with AC Milan, but has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League.
Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - Sarri - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/23/higuain-must-earn-permanent-chelsea-deal-sarri/
Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - Sarri AFP January 23, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is confident Gonzalo Higuain can be the short-term solution to his side's need for goals and urged the Argentine to earn a permanent move to the Premier League.
0 comments:
Post a Comment