Hosts turn into first workforce to be knocked out of the World Cup after shedding their second recreation.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has mentioned his aspect shouldn’t be branded a “failure and disappointment” after it misplaced its second group recreation towards Senegal, a end result that knocked the World Cup hosts out of the event.
After shedding their opener to Ecuador, Qatar did lastly handle to attain a purpose within the event however fell to a 3-1 loss to the African aspect which leaves them backside of Group A with no factors.
Qatar are the reigning Asian champions however are enjoying of their first World Cup.
“I do suppose we performed recreation. If you come right here you must know the place you’re coming from [as a country]. If this can be a failure and disappointment, that depends upon expectations,” Sanchez advised reporters on Saturday.
“Our purpose was to be aggressive … We’ve been working for therefore many months to have the ability to give efficiency. However typically the match doesn’t play out as you count on. It additionally depends upon the opponents’ efficiency. We didn’t play at our high degree. We have been aggressive however didn’t enhance.”
With a remaining recreation towards group favourites the Netherlands looming, Qatar are at risk of changing into the primary World Cup hosts to fail to win a single recreation.
“We’re conscious of how robust this competitors is. We needed to go far however we all know we had limitations as a rustic,” Sanchez added.
“It’s a small nation, not a really giant inhabitants. The native league isn’t a really aggressive one. It’s our first time on the World Cup. If we are able to participate once more, that may be nice. It’s at all times helpful to get extra expertise.”
When requested if the workforce had reached the top of a cycle, Sanchez disagreed however admitted there might be modifications after they defend their Asian Cup crown subsequent 12 months.
“We have now some younger gamers and extra skilled gamers … Our purpose may be very clear, we could have a generational shift. Some gamers will go away, others will come,” he mentioned.
“We’d have new gamers on the Asian Cup subsequent 12 months, some gamers can not play at their finest for such a very long time, but it surely’s not the top of a cycle.”
Sanchez added that the early World Cup exit is not going to be deadly for the nation’s soccer growth.
“The World Cup will end however soccer will proceed right here,” mentioned the Spaniard, who led Qatar to the 2019 Asian Cup title. “It’s a soccer nation they usually need to hold creating younger expertise to allow them to attain the senior workforce. We are able to carry on competing inside our limitations in Asia.
“By doing that, we’ll get extra expertise and we’ll be capable of play in additional competitions like this.”
