90 minutes: “Play it right” and you will go to the World Cup
Lopetegui must play with a different lineup to win against the Emirates
“Our fans” are always behind our team and they are the number one player
I am confident in our capabilities despite the recent development of the competitor
Jafal Rashid, the former star of our national team, affirmed his confidence in Al-Anabi to beat the UAE and qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Jafal Rashid said in statements to Al-Arab: There is nothing impossible for our national team, which has always made us accustomed to achieving achievements and defying difficulties, but winning over the Emirates and then qualifying for the World Cup requires some technical matters on the field, including 100% technical and physical readiness. We are capable of winning, but playing in the correct way, as it is only 90 minutes that separate us from achieving the dream, and all our national team players, if on their day, God willing, qualifying for the World Cup will be one of them. Our share, and I have great confidence in them, God willing, to win.
He continued, saying, “The fighting spirit must be present in the match and play with courage. I am confident in the players and their spirit, but coach Lopetegui must start with an appropriate formation for the match, unlike the last match against Oman, which did not witness the start of the match with an outright striker, because it was important to have a striker, and our team is capable of passing the match.” What is required is complete concentration and self-confidence, and if they play with the spirit of a champion, no one will stand in front of them. We have a team that has proven its worth on the continent. The players must know that football gives to those who give it, and our team will play on its home soil and among its fans, and we are all confident that it is capable of achieving the dream of qualifying for the World Cup.”
He pointed out, saying, “The UAE national team is not a difficult opponent, and we witnessed the extent of its development and achieved victory over Al-Anabi back and forth. From this standpoint, we must prepare for it with all strength. Such matches are simple details that decide them, and in the end, 90 minutes that you play correctly will qualify for the World Cup. My confidence in Al-Anabi is limitless.” This is a generation that knows the value of the slogan it defends. They are Asian champions twice in a row, and they have the character of a hero. The World Cup qualifiers will not be easy against strong teams like Oman and the Emirates, but with the determination of the men and the spirit of challenge, we are able to write history and fulfill the dream of our fans by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. I am very optimistic, and I have great confidence in Al-Anabi, despite the recent development of the Emirati team, which has a group of new players who added to them, but Al-Anabi has led it and is able to qualify for the World Cup.
Jafal Rashid sent a message to the fans, saying: “In the previous match against the Omani national team, the Qatari stands were the first star, as the fans came in large numbers to Jassim bin Hamad Stadium early, wearing Qatari flags, and chanting slogans that ignite enthusiasm in the hearts of the players. They did not stop encouraging despite the scoreless draw, but rather continued to support Al-Annabi until the final whistle, and their support is not conditional on the results, but rather on the results. With belonging and loyalty to the national team, therefore, the UAE match represents a decisive turning point in the national team’s journey towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, because Al-Anabi enters the match with the slogan “Victory and nothing else” after the last draw, and our fans are player number one.”