Friday, June 5th 2015 04:11 PM
HAMILTON, New Zealand: Coach Felix Sanchez is confident his players
will deliver under pressure today when Qatar play Senegal in a Group C
clash that will decide which side advances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Still without a win following losses to South American powerhouse
Colombia and European giants Portugal this week, Qatar on Saturday
must beat Senegal to have a slim chance of reaching the knockout
stage.
Sanchez, managing the Qatar U-19 and U-20 sides for the last two
years, on Friday said he knew his players to be a 'committed lot'.
"Yes I am one hundred percent sure these boys can handle the pressure
of a do-or-die game," Sanchez said on Friday at Waikato Stadium.
"I know them for a long time. They will be on the pitch with 100
percent commitment," he said.
"They are young but very professional in their approach. They will do
their best. There's no doubt they will be up for the hard challenge,"
he added.
"Obviously it is going to be our last game. It will be our last
opportunity to get the result we want. We want to qualify for the next
round. We will try as hard as we can so that we can succeed," Sanchez
said.
Sanchez, a former junior Barcelona coach, said he arrived in New
Zealand for the World Cup knowing Qatar would be playing against the
best teams in the tournament.
"We know that we were going to play three very strong matches against
three top teams. We knew the potential of these teams," Sanchez said
on Friday.
"We played against different styles in different conditions. The only
thing we can do is to avoid the mistakes we made. It is not just the
mistakes, it is also about the tactics employed by other teams that
matter. We have to tackle those issues also," he added.
Senegal coach Joseph Koto on Friday said his side won't under-estimate Qatar.
"Qatar is a good team. Although they have lost the first two matches
we know they will not show up as victims. This match is as important
for them as it is for us. We don't know the results but we can go
through with three points," Koto said.
"As I said many times before that we are in a tough group. It's only
good teams in Group C. All have a similar level. Today we still have
fate in our hands which makes things very interesting for us. We have
chance to seize the opportunity. All the players are ready," he added.
Koto said his team is feeling confident going into the clash on Saturday.
"In our opening match at this World Cup, we fought hard but we gained
in experience in the second match in the draw against Columbia. We
still have our chances. We have worked hard," Koto said.
Koto said facing Qatar - still seeking its first point - won't be an
easy proposition on Saturday.
"Every side comes to the World Cup so that when they go home, they go
with points. It is the same for Qatar. The players will fight for
their country. They will fight for their flag," Koto said on Friday.
"However, we have to be more motivated than Qatar for this match. The
difference will be the side which remains more motivated to win.
"We have been in these situations before at many tournaments. As I
said before, real football is 90 minutes on the pitch. We can talk as
much as we want but what matters how 11 players take on the other 11
players," Koto said.
"There are no easy matches in the World Cup. Many things are changing
in football today. No match is easy. We have prepared for a tough
match. We have prepared to play a very hard, physical contest," the
Senegalese coach said.
Qatar coach Sanchez said the clash against Senegal will call for
different tactics.
"We know the next game is going to be in a different style of play. It
will be a different type of football and we are going to try to play
well. Hopefully we will get a good game," Sanchez said.
"Senegal is a very physical team and technically they are good. They
are going to play in different way compared to Portugal and Colombia.
They play effectively with quality players. Tough game for us but we
will face them," the Qatar coach added.
In another Group C clash on Saturday, points leaders Portugal will
take on Colombia in Dunedin.