Qatar must maintain ‘100 percent focus’ for win over UAE, says Lopez

Qatar’s hopes of winning the FIFA Arab Cup semi-final against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday hang in the balance, according to Felix Sanchez.

The two sides meet at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, with Qatar having won one, drawn one and lost one of their three matches in the group stage. The UAE, meanwhile, won two and drew one of their matches.

Sanchez is well aware of the challenge that his team faces, but he is confident that they can progress to the final if they maintain their focus and intensity throughout the match.

“We know that the UAE is a very good team,” said Sanchez. “They have some very good players and they are very well-organized. We will need to be at our best to beat them.

“We need to maintain 100 percent focus for the entire match. If we do that, then I am confident that we can win.”

Qatar will be without the suspended Almoez Ali for the match, but Sanchez has a number of other options available to him in attack, including Akram Afif and Hassan Al-Haydos.

The UAE, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their good form in the tournament. They have already beaten Tunisia and Syria and will be confident of causing Qatar problems.

The match is likely to be a close and entertaining affair, with both teams knowing that a place in the final is at stake.

Key Points

• Qatar must maintain ‘100 percent focus’ for win over UAE, says Lopez.
• The two sides meet at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Tuesday.
• Qatar will be without the suspended Almoez Ali for the match.
• The UAE, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their good form in the tournament.
• The match is likely to be a close and entertaining affair, with both teams knowing that a place in the final is at stake.