Qatar’s 2019 Asian Cup hero Almoez Ali yesterday said playing matches at the 16-team championship last year with ‘sharp focus’ was key to the team winning against the top sides in Asia.
The 24-year-old Al Duhail star, who played a major role in Qatar’s continental victory last year, made the remarks during an Instagram Live session conducted by Generation Amazing yesterday.
The influential forward was the 22nd player to feature on the Live sessions.
Almoez, who was a part of the Qatar U19 team that won the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship title and followed up with the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, was one of the star for Al Annabi on both occasions.
During the 2014 tournament, he scored three goals, including one against Myanmar in the semi-final.
Last year, the charismatic striker spearheaded the Al Annabi outfit at the AFC Asian Cup in UAE where they emerged champions. Almoez was the star of the show all the way from the beginning till the end as he went on to become the tournament’s top goal scorer. Almoez scored nine goals and was named the Player of the Tournament.
“Since the beginning we had a specific goal. Our goal was to go as far as possible in the championship. We were among the best teams in Asia and with 13 young players. It was remarkable,” Almoez said yesterday.
“The goal was clear from the beginning. Initially our goal was to reach the semi-finals. At that time, any other coach would have pressured us but we did not have much pressure.
“The main goal was to remain focused. The whole team had just one goal in mind. When Qatar won in Asian Cup, our fans rejoiced,” he added. “We all rejoiced, of course, we remember that tournament,” Almoez said.
The performance of the young Al Annabi team at the continental level was a source of inspiration for youngsters and Almoez is happy to have played a part in that.
“My advice to youngsters who wish to follow in my footsteps is, love what you do. Whether it’s football or any other sport, you must practice hard and love it in order to reach higher levels,” Almoez said yesterday.
Almoez also said he hopes Qatar will perform well at next year’s Copa America tournament hosted by Argentina and Colombia.
Qatar featured in the Copa America tournament last year, but the fortunes were against Al Annabi as they finished fourth among some of the strongest teams in the world in the Group stage.
Qatar competed in Group B along with former world champions Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia.
“The first participation, of course, was very difficult because it is a very strong competition” Almoez, a big fan of Argentinian superstar Messi, said.
“The level of football it has, makes it one of the toughest tournaments in the world, with the biggest stars of the world playing."
Qatar drew with Paraguay in the group stage of last year’s event in Brazil, and Almoez was the sole scorer for Al Annabi. The Al Duhail striker remembers the goal.
“Scoring the goal at the Maracana Stadium, one of the most famous stadiums in the world, is something very special to me. Like I said earlier, I always think about the team, not my personal achievement. We played the tournament with caution. We gained a lot of experience the first time we played there.
“Currently our team is in very good spirits and I tell you the team will do better in the next Copa America,” Almoez said.
The Asian Champions, Qatar are one of the emerging forces to be reckoned with at the next FIFA World Cup.
Almoez is hoping to give his best during the Qatar 2022 in front of the home crowd.
“Every player dreams of playing the World Cup and it is an honour as a Qatari to play in the national team in the World Cup at home. It is a dream that we have since childhood. Of course we all play in our country and our ambition is to play the World Cup to the best of our abilities,” Almoez said.
With football action gradually re-emerging, safety measures to aid in prevention of COVID-19 has become the new normal. Almoez said it has affected the youth and the world as a whole.
“Of course, I have advised young boys and girls to follow the necessary precautionary measures. Since Qatar has been gradually lifting the restrictions and we have reached the fourth stage, everything is going to be gradually allowed. But I hope everyone will be careful because the disease is dangerous,” Almoez said.
