Players battle for the ball possession during their 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifier at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha, on Tuesday. Picture: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Doha: Al Annabi coach Felix Sanchez said Qatar deserved a better result than a goalless draw against India in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup joint qualifier.
“We played a difficult game as we expected,” the coach told reporters after the meeting.
We created a lot of opportunities but luck was not on our side. We didn’t take three points as we had hoped, but this is football. We failed to convert some crucial chances and the rival keeper also prevented us from recording and translating some chances with his brilliance.
“We are certainly not happy with the result because we deserved the three points.” The team’s efforts were great. We were not in front of India today. I know my team is better but the result does not reflect the progress of the game.
He also said: “One of those who help achieve a positive result is the team and its integration.
Asked if he had a problem with Akram, he said: “I don’t have a problem either with Akram or other players, but there is a decision not to play.” As for the large public presence to support the team, he said: the fans were very supportive of the team in the game, and we hoped to achieve them a positive result, but we are preparing them in the coming games.
Regarding the performance of the Indian national team, he said: “The team has evolved considerably and the differences between many teams have been narrowed recently. I think all our games will not be easy in the next stage.”
