AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: Queiroz to QNA: We Prepare Qatar to Defend Their Title

Carlos Queiroz

The Portuguese head coach of Qatar Carlos Queiroz stressed that efforts would be concentrated during the coming period to prepare Qatar, the winner of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup title, to present their best possible performance in their journey to defend their title in the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar from Jan. 12 to Feb. 10, 2024.

In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the sidelines of his participation in the draw ceremony of the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which placed Qatar on top of Group A along with China, Tajikistan, and Lebanon, Queiroz said that there several steps that precede the kickoff of the championship, including the participation in CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will kickoff in June. He added that they have high hopes to lead Qatar toward more success in the expected events during the coming period, as the team will organize a preparation stage to reach the required readiness.

Queiroz, who leads Qatar in their 11th appearance in the AFC Asian Cup said that he is so proud of this new step in his coaching career with Qatar and that his goal is to bring them to the ranks of the leading teams in all the upcoming international competitions.

Queiroz, who previously coached Real Madrid CF and Egypt - leading them to the finals of the African Cup of Nations, said that the AFC Asian Cup draw placed Qatar in Group A with teams of different levels, representing an opportunity for them to go through a major experience in this championship.

Queiroz said that he believes that the coming AFC Asian Cup will be a fantastic edition, and a large audience will follow the championship.

In conclusion of his statements, Queiroz said that all that he can promise is to present a distinguished level and do their best to present a wonderful image of Qatari football, doubling the efforts to present great shows and make the Qatari fans happy.

In the Asian Cup qualifiers, Qatar topped their Group E which included Oman, India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh with 22 points - seven wins, one draw, and zero defeats. They scored 18 goals while receiving only one goal.

Over their previous 10 appearances, Qatar played 39 matches, winning 13 matches, including seven in the 2019 edition. They scored 52 goals, the last of which was by Akram Afif against Japan.

A total of 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams each across Groups A to F, with the top two and four best third-placed teams advancing into the final 16 of the competition, which is held according to the knockout system.

Qatar is the first country to host the tournament three times in its history, as it had hosted two previous editions of the continental finals in 1988 and 2011, ahead of Iran, Thailand, and the UAE, after each of the three countries had hosted the championship twice before, while this time the seventh Asian Cup to be held in the West Asian region.

(QNA)