After Gulf Cup, Qatar set sights on Asian Cup title

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) After an unbeaten run in their last 10 international matches, Qatar are now setting sights on a successful run at the upcoming Asian Cup in Australia.

The Al Annabi are hoping to emulate their recent form in the next month's continental event that will be played in Down Under from January 9 to 31.

The Djamel Belmadi's side enjoyed a brilliant build-up for the mega tournament, winning the last month's Gulf Cup after a clinical performance. Prior to the regional contest, Qatar also won several friendly matches including an impressive 1-0 win over higher-ranked Australia.

A victory over another higher ranked opponents € Estonia on Saturday, just hours before their departure for Canberra boosted the national team's morale.

"Qatar football has developed at all levels," Qatar's left back Khalid Muftah said on Saturday after the 3-0 rout over their European counterparts, saying his team was targeting achievement at higher level.

"Now that we are in clearly good form, we are looking at something better € we are looking at the Asian Cup," he said.

"As a player, I want to participate at the Asian Cup and I hope we win in Australia," he added.

Qatar's best show in the Asian Cup was when they played the quarter-finals in which they were defeated by the Asian powerhouse Japan in 2011 in Doha.

Muftah said to achieve success his team will have to show improvement in the tough tournament.

"We must continue to work seriously and make appropriate plans."

He hoped his side will give a good show against Bahrain, the UAE and Iran in Group C.

"We know our level of play and we know what needs to be done, our moral is high and we feel confident," he said.

Qatar will play their final friendly on New Year's Eve when they face Oman in Canberra. They will take on the UAE in their opening match on January 11.