SEOUL: Qatar is capable of dealing with ‘big-game’ pressure, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) chief said yesterday.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani was talking to Qatar media ahead of ‘Al Anabi’s’ key 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against hosts Korea today.
“We have to look at this match in an appropriate manner. If we win this match, then that will help us make a positive impact on our remaining matches,” Sheikh Hamad said.
“So I feel Qatar is capable of dealing with the pressure of a big game like this. The Bahrain game (on Friday) is in the past,” he said.
“We learnt some valuable lessons and it is time to apply what we picked up from that game (in Bahrain),” the QFA chief said.
“We have to take advantage of our situation. We are playing a strong team,” he added.
“We are ready for this match. Everyone (in the Qatari camp) has contributed in the preparation for this game.
“It is important to focus on the plan put in place by the coach (Fahad Thani),” the QFA chief said.
The QFA chief thanked the Qatari embassy in Seoul for hosting the team over dinner and for ‘their support’ ahead of the game.
“I wish the team good luck,” he said.
Sheikh Hamad later joined Team Director Abdulrehman Al Mahmoud and coach Fahad for the team’s training session in the evening yesterday.
The match today will be played at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Kick-off has been set for 2:00pm Qatar time.
THE PENINSULA
