We need to be at our best to beat Algeria: Qatar captain

Captain Hassan al-Haydos believes Qatar will need to double their efforts to beat Algeria in the semi-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup tomorrow. The hosts go into the encounter at the Al Thumama Stadium as underdogs, with their North African rivals clearly a superior team.In the FIFA rankings, Algeria are at 32nd spot, while Qatar are 51st. But that hasn’t stopped Asian Champions from dreaming of an upset win as they target a place in the final, which will be held on December 18, which is also a Qatar National Day, at Al Bayt Stadium.“They are one of the best teams in the tournament and we have to double our efforts if we want to beat them and reach the final,” al-Haydos said. “It will be a very difficult semi-final as we are facing an Algerian team, which has the best players who have plenty of experience,” the midfielder added.

Qatar despite their struggles in the group stages, beat Oman, Bahrain and Iraq. However, they came into their own in the quarter-finals with a thumping 5-0 win over the United Arab Emirates. All four of their opponents so far have been Asian nations, so to go against a much experienced African won’t be easy for the hosts.

However, al-Haydos says the players are focused ahead of the semi-finals. “The entire team has one goal, which is to make history by winning the first Arab Cup title. All members of the team are completely focused and getting ready for the semi-final because we know we have to beat Algeria to keep our hopes alive for a title win,” the Al Sadd star said.

Qatar midfielder Boualem Khoukhi, who knows a thing or two about Algeria having represented the country of his birth in junior level, said they are confident. “Our previous victories in the tournament have given us huge confidence before the semi-final,” the Al Sadd player said. “Algeria, no doubt, is a strong team, which has many stars but we are targeting a victory against them. We will do our best to reach the final,” he added. Al Gharafa forward Ahmed Alaaeldin said: “This match will require a great focus from us. Our win against UAE is the past now and the semi-final will be completely different. We promise our fans that we will give our best in the semi-final.”

Algeria qualified for the semi-finals with a 5-3 shootout win over Morocco following a thrilling 2-2 draw in an end-to-end quarter-final clash on Saturday. Youcef Belaili, who scored a sublime goal from almost the halfway line against Morocco, said Algeria are expecting a tough fight from Qatar.

“We celebrated our quarter-final victory but now all our focus is on the semi-final against Qatar,” the midfielder said. “We know it will be a difficult match against the hosts but we are seeking a victory to make our fans happy. We are aiming for a place in the final and to win the Arab Cup title,” he added.Egypt hit by injuries to key quartet Meanwhile, Egypt are hit by injuries to key players ahead of their semi-final clash against Tunisia at the Stadium 974. The Pharaohs’ key quartet –Mohamed El Shenawy, Ahmed Hegazi, Ayman Ashraf, and Hamdi Fathi are going through their rehabilitation programmes, giving coach Carlos Queiroz a real headache.The 27-year-old Fathi, who plays for Ahly, was taken off in the second half of Saturday’s 3-1 comeback win over Jordan in the quarter-finals after picking up a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Ahly keeper El-Shenawy was also hurt, clutching his thigh towards the end of the game, though he did carry on till the end of the 120-minute contest.Furthermore, Ahly defender Ayman Ashraf suffered from a knee injury during the draw against Algeria in the final round of the group stage of the Arab Cup.