Doha: Team Qatar returned home yesterday after wrapping up their training camp in Spain ahead of their FIFA World Cup debut with the tournament’s opening game against Ecuador on November 20.
Qatar underwent a 40-day training camp in Marbella – their last phase of preparations overseas before the World Cup.
After taking a day’s rest yesterday, the Felix Sanchez-coached side will be back to training today at the Aspire Zone Training Facility, which is just a few metres away from Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel, where Al Annabi will stay during the tournament.
Apart from a training session today, the Qatari players are also scheduled to meet with tournament volunteers to show their appreciation for their hardwork.
Qatar’s opening match against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium has been dubbed important for the side as they also face Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A.
Sanchez feels a strong performance in the first match will give his side a huge confidence boost before they meet the African champions and the European giants.
“We have been working for many years and now we see it so close and we are looking forward to that day,” he said of Qatar’s debut match to be played in front of 60,000 fans, in a recent interview with Marca.
Ecuador, who have been very successful on fast counterattacks in their recent games, were predicted to be one of the surprise teams of the tournament by Brazil coach Tite.
Sanchez admitted that his reigning Asian champions face a tough challenge in the match against La Tri.
“Ecuador for many is an unknown team that in South America has been the sensation. After Brazil and Argentina, who are in a league of their own, they have been up there. They have a new generation of players and have created a very competitive group, a team that is on the rise.”
But Sanchez will be hoping for a strong show from his side, which has earned encouraging results in Marbella, winning five matches on a trot.
Al Annabi have been preparing for the World Cup for over four months with players missing matches of Qatar’s top flight league – QNB Stars League (QSL).
They started their preparation with a camp in Marbella before being moved to a training camp in Austria. The team also played friendlies against Canada, Croatia U-23 and Chile in Vienna during the camp.
The Qatar Football Association ensured Qatar enter their maiden World Cup with plenty of competitive international experience, arranging several friendly matches after they won the Asian crown in 2019. Qatar also participated in Copa America and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they reached the semi-finals.
