Qatari players in action during a training session on the eve of their AFC U-23 Asian Cup match against Vietnam in Changzhou, china yesterday.
CHANGZHOU: Captain Ahmed Moein has given his team-mates a rallying call ahead of today’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup semi-final against Vietnam, saying his ‘team must do better than 2016’.
Two years ago, hosts Qatar reached finished in fourth spot at the same event after easily reaching the semi-finals.
Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar today take on Vietnam in the first semi-final of the 16-team tournament. In the second semi-final today, Uzbekistan face Korea Republic.
“At the last AFC U-23 Championship we finished fourth, and we are in the semi-finals again,” Moein said yesterday.
“This time we have to do better than we did then, and qualify for the final and hopefully become champions.
“We are very motivated for this game (against Vietnam), and we hope to keep doing as well as we have already done in the four games we have played so far,” the 22-year-old midfielder said.
“We know that we have a very difficult game ahead of us, but we are ready for it,” Moein said.
“We know that Vietnam are a very good team, and that (the quarter-final) would be tough for Iraq, and Vietnam did it, they beat Iraq. It will not be easy for us.
“I think our experience will help, but at the same time, Vietnam have also been together for quite some time,” the captain said.
Qatar have posted wins over Uzbekistan, Oman, China and Palestine in their four matches so far.
