John Duerden in Abu Dhabi
Both on and off the pitch, the 2019 Asian
Cup was all about Qatar, with few nations
and eventual champions dominating a
tournament’s narrative quite so much.
Winning the trophy for the first time,
their success was fully deserved as
they scored 19 goals and conceded just
once along the way, beating continental
powerhouses Saudi Arabia, South Korea
and, in the Final, Japan.
Going into the tournament there was
an appreciation that the 2022 World Cup
hosts had improved under Spanish coach
Felix Sanchez following a disappointing
eye
witness
UNITED ARAB EMIRATESQatar youngsters
win the Asian Cup
effort to qualify for Russia 2018. A
November win over Switzerland and
a draw with Iceland raised eyebrows
and expectations, but a semi-final
place would have been wholeheartedly
accepted beforehand.
Having spent years working
with various youth teams at the Aspire
Academy in Doha, Sanchez knew his
young side inside out, with half of the
squad aged 22 and under. Happy to hit
on the counter-attack, and to do so with
a ruthless streak that is rare in Asia,
Qatar were the best and most consistentHistoric...Qatar
celebrate a first
continental title