DOHA (Qatar): The Arab region’s biggest football competition, the Gulf Cup will kick off on Tuesday evening with the opening match between Qatar and Iraq at the Khalifa International Stadium here.
The match starts at 7.30pm local time.
Iraq, one of the favourites, trained in the past few days in the absence of eight players.
“It is difficult to have so few players so it is very difficult to predict what will happen. And this is a new experience for me and I hope to succeed in any decision I make,” said head coach Srečko Katanic.
Meanwhile, Asian champions Qatar will be hoping to start on a positive note at home.
Qatar is hosting the competition for the fourth time, and will be gunning for their fourth title. , Though Qatar coach Felix Sanchez didn’t openly talk about a grand double after their historic AFC Asian Cup in January.
“Facing the Iraqi team in the opening match will be difficult. We look forward to a perfect start so the team can take the first step in the journey towards winning the title,” said Sanchez.
The hosts started their preparations after the match against Afghanistan in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, but the boys got two days rest.
He added that the Qatari team aspires to achieve a perfect start, especially that the opening game always motivates players and adds confidence to win one match after another.
Sanchez pointed out that the Asian Cup is different from the Arabian Gulf Cup, which is a new challenge.
“Asian Cup victory is past now. We want to focus on the new event,” said the Spaniard.
Qatar’s previous triumphs came in 1992, 2004 and 2014, and are undoubtedly the strongest contenders among eight teams.
The final will be held on December 6.
