Qatar coach makes surprising statement before final match with Jordan

"In Spain there is a saying 'Second place is first among losers'. We are not satisfied with second place, we will play for the title.

We want to be the best on the continent," said Qatar coach Marquez Lopez ahead of the 2023 Asian Cup final against Jordan tonight.

HLV Qatar tuyên bố bất ngờ trước trận chung kết với Jordan - 1 — Qatar players celebrate after defeating Iran to win a ticket to the final of the 2023 Asian Cup (Photo: Getty).

Qatar disappointed fans when they lost all their group stage matches of the 2022 World Cup despite the tournament being hosted by them.

However, in the 2023 Asian Cup, also hosted by Qatar, coach Marquez Lopez and his team turned things around positively, scoring in every match on the way to the final, including a dramatic 3-2 semi-final victory over Iran, who are ranked higher on the FIFA rankings.

"This is a match between two brotherly countries but there needs to be competition between brothers, each of us wants to win. We know the relationship between both countries is very strong but in the end we will compete with all our might in this match.

We have faced many obstacles in the past, it has not been an easy journey. However, we are here now but we are not there yet," coach Marquez Lopez affirmed his determination to defend the Asian Cup title won in 2019.

Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos also expressed his excitement ahead of the dream final: "I am very proud to be part of this team. A month before the tournament, no one expected us to reach the final, no one thought we could deliver such performances.

Working together with the coach, technical staff and the Qatar Football Association, we were able to reach this level thanks to the unity of the whole team."

On the other hand, Jordan players are also determined to win the championship by defeating Qatar in the final for the first time in their history.

HLV Qatar tuyên bố bất ngờ trước trận chung kết với Jordan - 2 — Jordan players practice before the historic final match at the Asian Cup (Photo: Reuters).

Despite only finishing third in the group stage and qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams, Jordan continued to surprise by defeating heavyweights Iraq and South Korea.

It was a victory for Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, who was heavily criticised after ending 2023 without a win after seven games, including six defeats.

Coach Ammouta told reporters ahead of the final at Lusail Stadium: "I am very happy with our performance because it was an individual challenge.

When a team loses, the coach is blamed and when they win, they say it is because of team spirit. We prepare thoroughly in every aspect, physically, mentally, tactically and psychologically.

I hope we'll be ready when the first whistle goes and we'll respond to the criticism, 99 per cent I don't listen to what they say because I don't see anything useful."

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