Captain Hassan Al-Haydos has cautioned that Qatar faces the challenge of defending their Asian Cup title on home turf, commencing with a match against Lebanon on Friday.
The 2022 World Cup hosts, who secured their first continental title in 2019, are now burdened with heightened expectations after their World Cup hosting disappointment. Despite the pressure, Al-Haydos expressed confidence in the team's ability to handle expectations and emphasized that overcoming challenges is an integral part of football.
Acknowledging the elevated expectations stemming from the 2019 success, Al-Haydos, a seasoned attacker with over 170 caps, sees the pressure as a motivating factor for the team.
The new generation of players is urged to cope with the expectations and deliver on the pitch. Additionally, Qatar must navigate a recent coaching change, with Spaniard Tintin Marquez taking over from Carlos Queiroz.
Marquez, familiar with Qatari football from his previous coaching stint at Al-Wakrah, views his experience as an asset, making the challenge more manageable.
Despite the coaching transition, Marquez is optimistic about the journey, citing his understanding of Qatari players and their on-field dynamics. The 62-year-old acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge but emphasised the familiarity gained during his extended tenure in Qatar.
On the Lebanese side, they enter the tournament with their second consecutive Asian Cup qualification and a recent coaching change. Miodrag Radulovic, returning after leading the team in 2019, is confident in utilising their experience from the last tournament. Despite a short preparation time, Radulovic expressed belief in the team's talents and their commitment to representing Lebanese football at its best.
