Donis seeks to continue momentum as Saudi Arabia face Qatar

JEDDAH, OCT 2
Saudi Arabia will take on Qatar in the Gulf Cup 27's first semifinal at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Saturday at 7:55 pm (Oman time).
The hosts, who topped Group A with a perfect nine-point record, will face a Qatar side that finished second in Group B with seven points, as both teams seek a place in the final.
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis stressed that concentration would be the key to overcoming Qatar, describing the encounter as a difficult test against a strong opponent with talented players and an experienced coach.
“Qatar are a strong team with distinguished players and an experienced coach. This is a decisive and difficult match, and we need to continue improving our performance,” Donis said.
“Focus was the key to our victories in the three group-stage matches, and we need to maintain that in this game,” he added.
“The fans gave us unparalleled support in the previous matches. We hope the stadium will be full because the crowd represents an extra player for us,” he said.
On team selection, Donis said: “All the players are excellent and capable of helping the team. We are always looking for the player who is most ready. We have been unlucky with injuries to some players, but we are dealing with the situation,” he explained.

LOPETEGUI CONFIDENT
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, expressed confidence in his players’ ability to handle the challenge of facing the hosts, insisting that the expected large Saudi crowd would provide motivation rather than pressure. The Spaniard acknowledged the limited recovery time but rejected the idea of using it as an excuse.
“It is our good fortune to play in a stadium that is full. It will increase our motivation. There may be 50,000 spectators or more, and we know they will support Saudi Arabia, but this will not put pressure on us. It will be an incentive,” Lopetegui said.
Lopetegui also dismissed the idea that Qatar’s two Asian Cup titles would give them an advantage.
“History is important, but it does not decide football matches. What matters is what the players deliver on the pitch,” he concluded .
The match will be officiated by Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro, assisted by compatriots Pedro Ribeiro and Luciano Maia.