DOHA: Coach Felix Sanchez on Monday thanked fans after hosts Qatar beat UAE 4-2 in their winner-takes-clash at Gulf Cup.

More than 40,000 fans turned up for the key battle at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium.

“It was a special match with a great atmosphere,” Sanchez said after the resounding win on Monday.

“I say ‘thank you’ to the Qatar fans from the bottom of my heart. The stadium was full of Qatar support from our fans.

“The fans kept roaring throughout the match,” the Spaniard added.

“In the first half, we did not play for the draw and not for one second did we did think about it,” Sanchez said.

“Our performance was offensive and we wanted to win, but unfortunately we conceded one goal in the first half, and in the second half, we scored two more goals and the opponent added one goal, but in the end we won,” he added.

“In the three games we played well and the players gave their full energy. In the first game, we were unlucky and in the second and third games, we showed our true strengths especially in the attack and scored many goals. We will continue to work hard,” Sanchez said.

“It was a special day for Akram Afif, he deserves what he got. I know from 2006, he deserves this award. He has worked a lot in the past years, and all Qatar players love football. You saw what Qatar did in Asian Cup earlier this year,” he said.