Coach Felix Sanchez says he is concentrating on the most “important game in Qatar football history,” as his side meet Japan in Friday’s Asian Cup final.
The Spaniard however said he was not worrying about an appeal by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the eligibility of his players.
“If we get the result that gives us the trophy, it will be the biggest thing in our football history,” he told reporters on Thursday.
A potential distraction is the UAE appealing to the governing Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that the Qataris have used ineligible players during the tournament.
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They were said to have used the players in Tuesday’s semi-final 4-0 win over the hosts.
“I’m not concerned at all … no worries about it,” Sanchez said.
“We’re here one more day, tomorrow we’re playing one game and only focused on the game,” he added.
“Any other thing that’s not related to the football point of view is not related to our minds at this moment.”
Qatar thrashed the UAE 4-0 in that politically-charged game.
But the AFC has confirmed that two players —- reported in local media to be Iraqi-born defender Bassan Al Rawi and Sudanese-born striker Almoez Ali were being investigated.
Al Rawi was suspended for the match but Ali played and scored in the encounter.
According to AFC regulations, Qatar could be kicked out of the tournament if found guilty.
The UAE allege the 21-year-old Al Rawi and 22-year-old Ali have not met residency requirements to be eligible.
Qatar has been subject to a blockade by neighbours, including the UAE, since 2017 over allegations which it denies of supporting terrorism.
The bad-tempered semi-final saw UAE fans pelt the Qatar players with water bottles and shoes as the 2022 World Cup hosts cruised into their first major final.
But against record champions Japan, Sanchez expects the toughest test yet after defeating former winners Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Korea in earlier rounds.
“We have a lot of respect for our opponents, a great squad playing a fantastic tournament,” said Sanchez. “We hope to have a good last performance in the last game.”
Win or lose, however, Sanchez and Qatar will return to Doha to great acclaim and not just because of victories over their local political rivals.
The home 2022 World Cup is looming and after years of being a footballing laughing stock, there now seems the potential to be competitive.
“It doesn’t matter what happens tomorrow, we’re very proud of them,” said Sanchez. “They’ve shown a good level playing against top teams.”
The coach is still without injured defender Hamid Ismail, but Abdelaziz Hatim and Al Rawi are back from suspension.
“There’s no words to us for what it means for the final I’ve played almost 130 games, but tomorrow is something different,” captain Hassan Al Haydos said.(NAN)
