(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain I The Peninsula
In-form Qatar today take on arch-rivals Saudi Arabia with just one aim to win their AFC Asian Cup group clash, top the group and enter the knockout stage of the tournament with an unbeaten streak.
This is what a confident Felix Sanchez said on the eve of the match, which will determine the Group E winners at the 43,000-seat Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.
The Qatar coach has all the reasons to target a win against the tough neighbouring rivals after a high-flying start from his team, which is yet to concede a goal.
They outclassed Lebanon 2-0 in their first match before annihilating North Korea 6-0 after four goals from in-form forward Almoez Ali.
Sanchez, who oversaw Al Annabi's famous victory over World No.8 Switzerland last November, said his team will enter with a good plan in the ‘tough' match.
A draw will be enough for Qatar to top the group on goal difference, nevertheless, the coach said his team will go for nothing less than full points.
'It is going to be a tough game but hopefully, we can get the result we desire, Sanchez said at a pre-match press conference, yesterday.
'We are doing exactly the same as we have done for the previous games but we know it is a match which will decide the top spot. We will plan well, as we did for the other matches, as we want to win the group, said the Spaniard before adding that Qatar's outstanding performance in first two games will be helpful in today's match.
'We are very proud of our performance, especially in the last game. It was a very good result but we must keep looking forward.
'The focus now is on Saudi Arabia and we must plan for a good game tomorrow, Sanchez reiterated.
The coach also hailed his players for their determination to do well in the AFC Asian Cup.
'Their focus has been only on the tournament and they have been working very hard, before we came here and even now. The players are all progressing well and that is very important, he said.
Saudi Arabia's Juan Antonio Pizzi, who was also adamant on his team's resolve to win today's battle, hailed Qatar as a good side.
'Qatar is a team with many qualities and they have good strikers. However, we are also doing well collectively and I have full confidence that my players can get the three points, Pizzi said yesterday.
'I have never played a match in anticipation of who our next opponents will be and that is exactly how we will go into the match tomorrow.
Saudi Arabia will enter the match having defeated North Korea 4-0 and Lebanon 2-0.
'We have maximum confidence in the players and have no preference as to who we could play in the Round of 16. We have an ambition to win the title and every match is equally difficult, said Pizzi.
The group winners will face the Group D runners-up, either Iran or Iraq in Round of 16, while the runners-up will go up against the top-placed team from Group F - either Japan or Uzbekistan.
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