Qatar to meet Uzbekistan in AFC U 23 championship today
Changzhou, January 9, 2018-Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez is hoping for a good show from his boys in their opening match against Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 Championship, which gets under way in Changzhou, China, on Tuesday.
Sanchez aims for his side to better the fourth place finish they achieved at the last AFC U23 Championship in Doha, with the Spaniard believing that experience could well be the difference.
"We expect the team to perform well at this competition, indeed there are some ten players who played in Doha two years ago," he explained.
"Those players have, of course, gained more experience in the time that has passed since and we hope that can make a difference and make this competition a more successful one for us."
Sanchez's opposite number, Uzbekistan head coach Ravshan Khaydarov, whilst looking forward to the meeting with Qatar, is acutely aware of the quality of the opponents Uzbekistan are set to face.
"This is a tough group, but we are looking forward to the challenge," he said.
"We have prepared well, but have analysed all the teams including Qatar and believe they all have a chance of progressing (to the quarter-finals). This is football. Anything can happen."
Meanwhile China's head coach Massimiliano Maddaloni believes passionate home support could well his team an added advantage against Oman on Tuesday.
As tournament hosts, much is expected of Maddaloni's talented squad despite the East Asians having exited at the group stage in the past two editions of the competition, and finding themselves in a difficult looking Group A where they also have Qatar and Uzbekistan for company.
However, with excitement growing ahead of the Oman clash, the Italian tactician feels a full house at Changzhou's Olympic Sports Center will prove vital as China look to gain an early advantage in the race for a spot in the last eight.
"There is little doubt that the support of the home fans will give the China team an advantage as it will make the team play as one," he declared.
"The additional boost playing at home will bring is that it can add an extra dimension, an extra something in matches when we need it most."
Oman coach Hamad Al Azani said,"We expect a lot of fans to be supporting China in the opening match. But I think the fact that we reached the final of the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku and played in front of 30,000 supporters will stand us in very good stead."
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