Doha: Watching QNB Stars League (QSL) champions Al Duhail play at their best is akin to watching English Premier League giants Manchester City in full flow, says Umm Salal coach Talal Al Karkouri.
It is rare to find a rival coach rave about their opponent’s performance on the eve of the match, but yesterday Al Karkouri went at length to explain why the QSL and Qatar Cup winners are simply the best not just in Qatar but at the Asian level.
Al Duhail, one of the four teams seeded directly into the last-eight stage of the Emir Cup, clash with Umm Salal at Abdulla Bin Hamad Stadium.
“I have not seen (Al Duhail) play the way they played this season, keeping the ball for 75 to 80 percent possession. The end of the match statistics showed that they had 80 percent possession which shows they have good quality,” said the Moroccan tactician.
“In defense, midfield as well they have quality and I will not talk about the strikers, they (strikers) are fast. They have different qualities. When they have the ball you can see the technique of the player and you can see good passing. They want the ball at their feet, they want the ball at their feet all the time,” he added.
“They change their passes from wide to deep and switch play - from long balls to short passes. They have quick players, players who can play left, wide and play one-two with the strikers. That’s why they are the best. It’s like we are watching the Manchester City of Qatar,” added the 41-year old.
The consistent and impressive run of Al Duhail in the AFC Champions League argues well for Qatari football said the Umm Salal coach.
“When you see a Qatari team playing well in the Asian Champions League, it is a good sign for Qatari football. It shows that Qatari football is performing well at the Asian level. I know it is going to be tough when they get to the quarter-final and semi-final when they start playing against Korean and Japanese teams, but I am sure they will do well,” he said.
