No easy groups, says Saud Al-Mohannadi
DOHA: Saud Abdul Aziz Al Muhannadi, Vice President of Qatar Football
Association (QFA), on Monday said every team stood a fair chance of
winning the title when the 23rd Gulf Cup is held between December 22
until January 5.
On Monday officials of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF)
carried out the draw ceremony with officials from four countries
namely Qatar, Yemen, Oman and Iraq present. Representatives of Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain were not present.
“The Al Annabi group is not easy, especially with the presence of the
Yemeni team. We had fierce competition against them when we last won
the tournament held in Saudi Arabia,” Al Mohannadi said on Monday.
“The chances of our national team are good, especially if we take into
account that 23rd edition of the Gulf Cup will be held on home soil in
front of our own fans,” he added.
Al-Muhannadi underlined to the strength of the two groups.
“There is no easy and difficult groups. All the teams are trying to
compete for the title, especially after the AGCFF confirmed financial
incentives for the winning team and the runners-up,” he said.
“I am certain the event will be held on time and hopefully with the
participation of all the member countries that make up AGCFF. I
personally hope that the countries who were not present here today do
not involve politics in sport,” he said.
Al-Muhannadi said AGCFF looked confident of hosting the event in a
be-fitting manner along with QFA.