We have to do better, says Sanchez ahead of Portugal game

Qatar team trains at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, on Friday.

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez yesterday urged his players to ‘do better’ when his team takes on Portugal, the 2016 European champions. The two teams clash in a 2022 World Cup European qualifying match today. On Wednesday, Qatar – the 2019 Asian champions – lost to Serbia in their Group A clash. “We have to do better,” coach Sanchez said yesterday at a press conference. “We have to learn from the mistakes we committed in the first match,” the Spaniard added. “We have to do better as a team. We are playing against one of the top teams that are expected to be there at the 2022 World Cup (to be held in Qatar),” Sanchez said, sitting next to young Qatar left-back Hommam al-Amin. When asked to review the performance from last Wednesday, Sanchez said: “Look, we are playing some of the top teams in Europe. These things happen. Our main target is to help players recover from a tough, tiring match. It was not a performance we expected. Hope we learn, and move on.” Global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing the match against Qatar on Saturday, but Sanchez is not reading too much into the striker’s absence forced by a suspension. “Look, this is not a match against Ronaldo but Portugal. Yes, he is one of the best players ever, but I am sure they have a good player to take his place. They are an excellent side, and I expect them to be at the next World Cup,” Sanchez said. Qatar player al-Amin said: “Portugal is one of the best teams in Europe we are motivated to do well. I am certain my teammates and I will give our best and try to match Portugal’s intensity.” For his part, Portugal coach Fernando Santos said, “Qatar is a very balanced team. They know what they want, and they always play in the same way. With Serbia, they showed some aspects they never did before. They are very organized and know how to counterattack. Something they did with Serbia, but they weren’t as good as in other games in defensive terms. It will not be easy to play against Qatar. It is a team with quality.” Qatar’s final Group A match this week will be against Luxembourg on September 7. Sanchez is missing Mohamed Muntari, a key striker, due to an injury on this leg of the European trip. However, Qatar will rely on the duo of Almoez Ali and Akram Afif for goals push in the Group A clash. Qatar coach Felix Sanchez.