Doha: Hassan Al Haydos is targeting a successful defence when reigning champions Qatar kick off their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ campaign against Lebanon in Group A on Friday.
As for his opposite number Hassan Maatouk, Qatar 2023 represents an opportunity to create history for Lebanese football – a place in the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
Al Haydos played an integral role in leading Qatar to their first AFC Asian Cup in 2019, and the skipper said they are not ready to relinquish their hold on the trophy.
“It is a relatively good group where all the teams have very similar levels and tomorrow we are starting a new challenge for us,” said Al Haydos.
“For us as players, we need the fans more than ever from the first minute to the end of the game, and I hope that we can get as many points as possible to get to the next round.
“I think the 2019 generation raised our levels and ambitions. We are always required to win in any game and championship we partake in.
“But challenges are part of football and I hope we can deal with this stress and pressure in a positive manner.
“We are playing the Asian Cup as title holders and in our own home, so we have to perform and show to the fans that we mean business.”
Lebanon were also grouped with Qatar in 2019, with the latter picking up a 2-0 win.
Captain Maatouk sees the return of Miodrag Radulovic as head coach a huge positive and is counting on the Montenegrin’s familiarity with the players to give Lebanon an edge in the tournament.
The 36-year-old, admitting that this could be his last AFC Asian Cup, wants to take Lebanon into the knockout stage for the first time.
“Our preparations have gone very well with the coach even though he hasn’t been with the team long,” said Maatouk. “But he has worked with us before for four years and we are almost the same squad of players.
“We are focused and we are not going to spare any effort despite being in a difficult group. Our game against Qatar is the most important game for us because they are a big team and we will try to produce the best result possible.
“When we met in the last Asian Cup, it was difficult. Scoring won’t be easy but we have to try. We have to close down spaces because we know the individual abilities of the players.
“Playing at Lusail (Stadium) will be a great experience and we have to embrace that, it gives us great motivation to do well as we are truly considering qualifying for the next round which will be a first for Lebanon.”
