Lopetegui says Qatar ready to face Saudi Arabia in Gulf Cup semi-final

Qatar national football team coach Julen Lopetegui has confirmed his squad is ready to take on Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, scheduled for tomorrow at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Speaking at a press conference today, Lopetegui said the match would be challenging against a strong Saudi side playing at home in front of their fans. He noted that the technical staff had focused during the short preparation period on restoring the players’ physical and tactical readiness, and that the starting lineup is now clear ahead of the game.

Lopetegui added that Qatar had completed its preparations for the match, emphasizing the players’ readiness to perform in front of a large crowd, which he said would motivate the team to deliver a strong performance. He stressed that the Qatari players have enough experience to handle high-pressure matches, and that a packed stadium serves as motivation rather than pressure, with the team focused on technical aspects and aiming to outperform their opponents.

Lopetegui also said the tight schedule between matches is not an excuse, underlining the importance of balancing defensive duties with attacking effectiveness. He highlighted the team’s physical, mental, and tactical capabilities, which he believes will help them meet the challenge. While acknowledging that history and statistics are part of the competition, he said the focus remains on the present match. Lopetegui expressed confidence in his players’ ability to deliver a strong performance despite injury concerns and a busy schedule, stating that the goal is to reach the final.

Abdulaziz Hatem: Focused on reaching the final

For his part, Qatar midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem confirmed that he and his teammates are fully prepared for the semi-final against Saudi Arabia, noting that the team used the preparation period to boost both technical and mental readiness. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing the host nation and said the team is determined to qualify for the final.

Hatem pointed out that the current stage is different from previous periods, such as the World Cup, due to the presence of new players and ongoing team development. He said the goal in this tournament is to compete for the title and deliver the best possible performances.