Jordan will be our ‘enemy’ in this ‘battle between brothers’: Qatar coach

DOHA – Qatar head coach Marquez Lopez views their 2023 Asian Cup final opponent, Jordan, as an “enemy”, although both teams are, in the overall scheme of things, like brothers in a big Arab family.

With both teams set to slug it out in the final at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail at 6pm (11pm Malaysian time) tomorrow, Lopez said they would not underestimate Jordan’s capabilities.

He said Jordan have shown positive development under the guidance of coach Hussein Ammouta, who had spent considerable time in Qatar as a player and coach, but was quick to add that his men are not about to miss out on the chance to make history by lifting the Cup for the second straight time – this time on home soil.

“Ammouta said tomorrow’s final is a match between brothers but, in the end, there can be only one winner… Ammouta is a good coach, the bilateral ties between the two countries are (also) very good and we both want the final to reflect the good relationship between our two Arab nations.

“Based on what we have seen here, Jordan’s game has improved and long may it continue, but we (Qatar) are here to win, lift the Cup and become the best in the region,” he told the pre-match media conference here today.

Asked about the high expectations and pressure heaped on The Maroons, as Qatar are nicknamed, Lopez said it is only normal.

“We play every game with determination, bravery and the desire to achieve victory and we have the inspiration to do it, that’s what’s important,” added the 62-year-old coach.

Meanwhile, Qatar skipper Hassan Al-Haydos said they are ready to face Jordan and were not shocked to see The Chivalrous, as Jordan are known, make history by reaching their first-ever final, especially after The Maroons lost 2-1 to Jordan in a friendly international on January 5.

“From that friendly match, we had already anticipated that they would go far in this tournament and now we are meeting them in the final.

“They have played every game incredibly well, they deserve to be where they are now and it’s the same with us (Qatar). That’s why we are both in the final,” said the 33-year-old. 

Al-Haydos was part of the Qatar team that made history when they bagged their first Asian Cup title after defeating Japan 3-1 in the final of the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.

As the defending champions and playing on home soil, Qatar have set their sights on lifting the Cup for the second consecutive time, while first-time finalists Jordan are bent on making history by claiming their maiden title. – February 9, 2024