Al Haydos calls for calm ahead of 'most important match'

Abu Dhabi: Qatar captain Hasan Al Haydos has urged his teammates to remain composed and patient as they chase a first ever AFC Asian Cup title in the final against Japan on Friday.

Under head coach Felix Sanchez, Al Annabi have stormed into the decider with six successive wins, and a seventh at Zayed Sports City Stadium will write an unprecedented chapter of success into the football history of a nation that had never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals.

With 16 goals scored, and none conceded, in the tournament so far, Al Haydos' side enter the decider in rare form, a status further underlined by their stunning 4-0 defeat of hosts the UAE in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Their sudden success has to led enthusiastic celebrations back home, but their on-field leader says his side must remain composed if they are to take the final step to becoming Asian champions.

"What will make the difference is the physical and mental readiness of the two teams," said Al Haydos, who will join Younis Mahmoud, Makoto Hasebe and Mile Jedinak as recent AFC Asian Cup-winning captains if successful on Friday.

"Japan may have had one more day to rest, but this will make no difference as we are playing in the final and this is the most important thing for us.

"I think the most important thing in the game is to remain calm, everyone will be excited, but remaining calm is crucial. Everyone must be patient and put into practice what the coach tells us.

"We must be highly focused and patient."

 


Preview - Final: Japan v Qatar

The Qatari captain is a player of rich experience, racking up over 100 senior caps despite being just 28 years old, and tasting AFC Champions League glory with Al Sadd back in 2011.

Those involvements provide a strong grounding for the challenge ahead but the creative Al Haydos said nothing will compare to the experience ahead.

"There are no words to describe what playing in the final means to me. It is definitely very important to us as a team," he declared.

"Also, I have played nearly 130 games for the country (including youth football) and it is the most important match I will have played in. Hopefully, we can get the result we want and win the title.

"We can promise our fans that we will deliver our best performance and make them happy as we did in previous games. This what I can promise them for the game against Japan."

While Qatar are appearing in the decider for the first time, Japan have not only appeared in four previous finals, but won them all, starting with their breakthrough maiden title on home soil in 1992, and Al Haydos is full of respect for his side's opponents.

"We now have the chance to make footballing history for Qatar," he said.

"We are, though, facing strong opponents who have a long history of playing in AFC Asian Cup finals. However, hopefully we can put in a performance similar to those we have already had in the tournament."


Source: the-afc.com