RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: Qatar's national football team will be aiming for positive result and a credible fighting performance when they make their Copa America debut on Sunday.
Qatar team has intensified training sessions in Brazil ahead of their Copa America campaign in the last few days. The team is scheduled to face Paraguay in its opening match in Brazil on Sunday.
Qatar will play against Colombia on June 19 and will take on former World Cup champions Argentina on June 23.
Coach Felix Sanchez side are placed in Group B along with Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia. Asian champions Qatar are currently training in Porto Bela, a coastal town near Rio.
The Copa America will take place from June 15 to July 7 at six stadiums in five cities with the participation of 12 teams. Qatar and Japan are the invited teams for this year's Copa America.
The Qatari team is taking part upon an invitation sent to the Asian champion by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), to be the first Arab team to participate in this tournament.
Meanwhile it was announced on Friday that key defender Bassam Al Rawi has been declared fit for the team's Copa America clash on Sunday.
Asian Cup hero Al Rawi was injured before the team's international friendly against Brazil on June 5. The 21-year-old has returned to training, the team announced on Saturday.
Qatar defender Tariq Salman on Saturday underlined the team's preparation saying the entire squad for the new challenge.
"Copa America is a tough competition that will provide every player with tough tests. It will help us build capacity to take on tougher teams," Salman said.
"Playing on Brazilian grounds like the famous Maracana Stadium is a great challenge for our players. We hope to give our best and to enjoy this atmosphere in this historic stadium," he added.
"I hope we will succeed and achieve a positive result," Salman said.

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