(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Chinthana Wasala
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The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar football heavyweights Al Sadd SC announced yesterday that former Qatar national team coach Felix Sanchez would be their new head coach.
The Spaniard, who famously guided Al Annabi to triumph at the AFC Asian Cup 2019, has signed a two-year contract with the reigning Qatar Stars League champions, the club said in a statement yesterday.
“The 48-year-old Sanchez will begin his coaching duties with the Wolves during their pre-season training camp which is currently being held in Malaga, Spain, which will continue until July 29,” the club said.
The Barcelona-born Sanchez began his coaching career at the prestigious FC Barcelona youth academy, La Masia. Following his stint at Barcelona Academy from 1996 to 2006, Sanchez moved to Aspire Academy in Qatar, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing and identifying young talents. In 2013, he was appointed as the head coach of the Qatar U-19 team. Under his guidance, the Qatari juniors won the 2014 AFC U-19 Cup, marking a significant milestone in his career and the country's football.
In 2017, he was appointed as the head coach of Qatar's U-23 team while also taking over as the head coach of the Qatar senior side, replacing Uruguayan Jorge Fossati.
During his five-year stint with Al Annabi seniors, Sanchez earned wide recognition as a world-class coach. His most notable achievement came when he led Qatar to a historic victory in the AFC Asian Cup, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final. It was Qatar's first major international title and a significant milestone in Sanchez's career.
Additionally, he led the team to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021 in the US, before guiding Al Annabi to the semi-finals of the inaugural FIFA Arab Cup in Doha where the hosts eventually finished third.
Following the departure from Qatar right after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Sanchez took over the reigns of Ecuador national team for one season in 2023.
Abdelkarim Hassan joins Al Wakrah
Meanwhile, Al Wakrah yesterday officially announced the signing of Abdelkarim Hassan, the former Qatar and Al Sadd star.
Abdelkarim, a former Asian Player of the Year who played a key role in Qatar's Asian Cup winning journey in 2019, and Al Sadd's success in the Qatar Stars League, will represent Al Wakrah until at least 2027, the club said yesterday.
Abdelkarim, who made 190 appearances for Al Sadd from 2010 to 2022, initially joined Kuwait's Al Jahra club upon his departure from the Qatari club, before moving to Iran's giants Persepolis.
Al Wakrah Vice President Salman Abdulghani signed the official contract with Abdelkarim during a formal ceremony yesterday. The defender is set to travel to Spain to join the club's pre-season training camp currently underway in Malaga, Spain.
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