Baptism by fire for hosts as World Cup kicks-off
Asian champions, FIFA World Cup debutants, host nation, an unknown quantity, or the single most prepared side in the tournament? It is safe to say there are many battling and at times contrasting, narratives surrounding Qatar national team going into what will in all cases be a historic tournament for them.
Not since Italy in 1934 has any nation hosted the FIFA World Cup having never qualified for the competition, and Qatar will want to avoid the fate of South Africa, who remain the only host country to be eliminated in the group stage. But with only Saudi Arabia and Ghana ranked below them in the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking among the 32 teams, the odds are stacked against them.
An unfancied side even at the continental level, Qatar had never progressed past the quarter-finals in the AFC Asian Cup until 2019. But Felix Sanchez’s men proved to be a different breed to their predecessors, taking the tournament by storm and cruising to their maiden title with a string of performances that saw them concede only one goal as they bagged 16 and defeated four former champions in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea Republic and Japan to lift a fully deserved title.
Couple of years
With no involvement in the Asian Qualifiers as hosts, the Maroon filled the past couple of years by participating in the CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019, the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 and the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, reaching the semi-finals of the latter two. A generation of players whose entire career was built around preparing for Qatar 2022 will be under immense pressure to perform, but with an unmatched level of stability and big crowds behind them this winter, anything is possible.
Sanchez’s approach and tactics
Having been recruited from Barcelona’s famed La Masia Academy to work at the newly set up Aspire Academy in Qatar back in 2006, Sanchez was identified as the man to develop and lead a generation of youngsters from the academy to form the core of the side that will make history for the Arab nation.
Slowly but steadily, he built a side in his image, ensuring his first foray into management is a memorable one as he continuously improved on the group that he led to win the AFC U19 Asian Cup back in 2014, adding experience or bursts of youth where needed while creating a close-knit family atmosphere to put together the Qatar team of 2022.
The foundation of Sanchez’s side is a five-man defence, ensuring his goalkeeper is well-protected. The Spaniard has frequently experimented with different combinations in midfield and attack, although one duo - Akram Afif and Almoez Ali - remain crucial to his offensive strategy, whether the partner up as a front two or with Ali leading the line and Afif playing wide on the left.
