Blindsretractable Strings

Uzbekistan Asian Cup: Group A Qatar League

Tomorrow begins the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar . This year's edition will serve as a "rehearsal" for 2022 World Cup to be hosted this rich country. Indeed, the hosts were fortunate with the draw and will have to Uzbekistan, Kuwait and China as rivals. Without doubt, the weakest group. It is customary that no member of Group A access to the semifinals. In the quarter should cross to Japan and Saudi Arabia, so the two lucky options are limited.

Focusing on the first group, it seems that Qatar has many ballots to be first, but do not have the baggage that offer other choices to which they are assigned and a place in the quarter, or even the semifinals. After the hosts, many unknowns. At first they would be Chinese and Uzbeks who will fight for second place (if everything is normal they cross the breathtaking Japan), while Kuwait will not part with many options, but perhaps for equality among the four contenders to get their hands and give a fright.

Qatar: The Dream of the hosts

In all events at local squad selections party with a halo of sympathy from the neutral supporters, including some of those involved. Qataris appear in its eighth Asian Cup, which have never passed the quarterfinals, top it won in the 2000 edition played in Lebanon. The funny thing is that Qatar does not win a match in continental competition since 1988 (also organized event), as in 1992, 2004 and 2007 fell into the group stage with a tie for best outcome, while in 2000 reached above quarterfinals, but did it with three draws. Already in this round, lost 3-1 to China. Therefore, the Middle East have before them an opportunity to demand growth and start wishing it reaches its culmination point in 2022.

In sports, the French coach Bruno Metsu is a football expert in the Middle East since 2002 with a track championships in Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Since September 2008, Metsu is the coach of Qatar and has a vast knowledge of the national team. One of his major milestones was to get the man to beat France in the opening World Cup Korea Japan 2002 when coached Senegal. But the Frenchman also has several titles as coach, with an AFC Champions League with Al-Ain in 2003, four league titles (Al-Ain and Al-Gharafa), and the Gulf Cup of Nations in 2007 leading the UAE.

The call is based on players Qatar Stars League with 22 of the 23 chosen from the Qatari championship. Yasser Hussein is only "foreign" and play in the Egyptian Zamalek SC at 26, but in 2002 was signed by Manchester United and Manchester in 2006 by the City without going to debut. If something has worked Metsu is defense. Without doubt, the bulwark on which underpin want to try reach the quarter-finals. The line of defenders has no male veterans, so this block will be the same that can reach the 2014 World Cup.

forward from midfield men have more fantasy. For starters, Fábio César sum far in the line of creation. Born in Brazil for 31 years, F Abiodun César has 77 games in the Serie A with Napoli in which managed ten goals. Already in 2005, he headed to Qatar Stars League and in 2008 became eligible for selection in the Middle East. The Brazilian-Qatar is one of the generators of football leads Bruno Metsu, but the only foreign competition is the one that has much to say in this Asian Cup . Yasser Hussein is a fixture in the Zamalek and the tournament organizer must take to try to earn gallons a new ticket at Old . And up front there is another citizen who excels. Is the case with Sebastian Soria (pictured), a native of Uruguay, who in 2004 arrived at Al-Gharafa, but the following year decided to switch to Qatar SC club. After seven games with the U-23, where he scored six goals to pass that same year to complete. In 2007, Soria was in the Asian Cup and emerged as the only Qatari who managed to pierce the rival goal. Sebastian scored three goals, the only of his countrymen.

Appearances: Eight (1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2011).
Best result: Quarterfinals (2000).
more caps Player: Adel Khamis Alnoubi (110 times).
highest scoring player: Ahmed Yusef (46 goals).
Nickname: Annabi (Garnet)
their bus Motto: Al-Annabi (garnets)
Games: Qatar - Uzbekistan (January 7, 17:15 hours from Spain), China - Qatar (12 January, 17:15), Qatar - Kuwait (16 January, 17:15).