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."
The teaser video of Capt. Barrington Irving flying with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels in honor of Memorial Day. Captain Irving flew in jet #7, the fastest, of all the Blue Angels.
Kyrie Irving and the Knicks are officially on the clock
BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday, leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.
Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield Substitute Javier Hernandez scored a late brace including a stoppage-time winner to help West Ham United beat Huddersfield Town 4-3 in a
Football: West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield
← 2009 Merlion Cup. The 2019 Merlion Cup is an international men's under-22 football competition organised by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Merlion Cup returns after 10 years - sports.yahoo.com
Learn how & where to find the right spark plug and a gap chart to guide you through gapping spark plugs in this Briggs & Stratton small engine FAQ.
Adobe Spark Video - Transform your ideas into visual stories
Cesc Fabregas completes move to Monaco, reunites with Thierry Henry Fabregas played with Henry at Arsenal at the start of his career, between 2003 and 2007, and the two share the same agent in
Cesc Fabregas joins Monaco: Chelsea midfielder completes move
Weary feet to blame for England's fall. England's Kyle Walker scoring an own goal during extra time while under pressure from Dutch striker Quincy Promes during their Nations League semi-final
Boy, 6, reportedly in critical condition after falling 15
Relegated Huddersfield Town star Aaron Mooy could still have a path back to the Premier League with Wolves and top-flight aspirant for the Terriers in his bring the 28-year-old to
~ What every Premier League club still needs to do in the
Liverpool — Centreback Virgil van Dijk is back in training but remains doubtful for the Premier League leaders' home match against Leicester City at Anfield on Wednesday. Liverpool manager
Van Dijk a doubt for Leicester game - Klopp | FOX Sports Asia
If Gabriel does face an extended spell on the sidelines, Wenger could head into next Sunday's season opener with Liverpool with just new man Rob Holding and Calum Chambers available at centre-back. Arsenal could yet sign a new player to plug the gap in time for the Premier League curtain-raiser or rush Koscielny back earlier than expected.
Koscielny | Up The Arsenal
Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic criticised Gareth Bale for lacking leadership qualities and hit out at coach Santiago Solari after the club's La Liga title ambitions were dented by
Gareth Bale 'nowhere near' being Madrid's leader, says
Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros ($67 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday. Jovic, 21, scored 10 goals for the German side in their run to the Europa League semi-finals where they were knocked out by Chelsea on penalties and has netted 17 times in the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid sign Jovic for $97 million - report - msn.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen