AlKass Digital
Popular coach Jose Mourinho yesterday praised Qatar’s brave 2-0 win over arch-rivals Saudi Arabia but the Portuguese urged the 2014 Gulf Cup champions to chase Asian Cup history.
Qatar, who have never reached the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup, yesterday posted their third successive Group E win after feared striker Almoez Ali fired two goals to take his overall tally to seven strikes in just three matches.
“Qatar was the better team. So I would congratulate the country, congratulate the working group,” Mourinho said yesterday on his guest appearance as an expert during beIN’s expansive coverage of the 24-team AFC Asian Cup.
Mourinho, who left Manchester United at the end of December, urged Felix Sacnhez’s side to remain focused.
“When you win such big games, you must not be in the paradise,” Mourinsho said.
“You must have your feet on the ground because you have more responsibility and you can go and make history. If you reach the semi-finals for the first time, that would be fantastic for the football-loving country,” the 55-year-old added.
“I feel I should applaud (Qatar’s performance) because I think it is a victory for strategy, organisation and pragmatism. I think they played the way they wanted to play. They conducted the game in the direction they wanted to take,” Mourinho pointed out.
“They made a few decisions that were proven to be correct. They played with five in the back and that was correct from the defensive point of view. But that also gave the left-back (Abdulkareem Hassan) more freedom to get into attacking positions. I really like him,” the former Chealsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach said of the 2018 Asian Player of the Year.
“They didn’t give too much space at the back and they were solid and compact. The lower back was pragmatic and very well organised. I think (striker) Ali looked very dynamic and played with certain freedom in attacks and supported by a second man.
“I repeat (Qatar had) good strategy and pragmatism. Qatar fully deserved to win because they were well organised,” Mourinho added.