(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Coach Felix Sanchez is confident his players will deliver under pressure today when Qatar play Senegal in a Group C clash that will decide which side advances to the last-16 stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Still without a win following losses to South American powerhouse Colombia and European giants Portugal this week, Qatar must beat Senegal today to have a slim chance of reaching the knockout stages.
Sanchez, who has been in charge of the Qatar U-19 and U-20 sides for the last two years, yesterday said he knew his players were a "committed lot".
"Yes I am one 100 per cent sure these boys can handle the pressure of a do-or-die game," Sanchez said at the Waikato Stadium here.
"I know them for a long time. They will be on the pitch with 100 per cent commitment. They are young but very professional in their approach. They will do their best. There's no doubt they will be up for the hard challenge," he said.
"Obviously, it is going to be our last (group€stage) game. It will be our last opportunity to get the result we want. We want to qualify for the next round. We will try as hard as we can to succeed," the Spaniard said.
Sanchez, a former junior Barcelona coach, said he arrived in New Zealand for the World Cup knowing that Qatar would be playing against the best teams in the tournament.
"We knew that we were going to play three very strong matches against three top teams. We knew the potential of these teams," Sanchez said.
"We played against different styles in different conditions. The only thing we can do is to avoid the mistakes we made. It is not just the mistakes; it is also about the tactics employed by other teams that matter. We have to tackle those issues also," he said.
Meanwhile, Senegal's coach Joseph Koto yesterday said his side won't underestimate Qatar.
"Qatar is a good team. Although they have lost the first two matches we know they will not show up as victims. This match is as important for them as it is for us. We don't know the results but we can go through with three points," Koto said.
"As I said many times before that we are in a tough group. It's only good teams in Group C. All have a similar level. Today we still have (our) fate in our hands, which makes things very interesting for us. We have the chance to seize the opportunity. All the players are ready," he said.
Koto said his team is confident going into today's clash.
"In our opening match at this World Cup, we fought hard but we gained in experience in the second match in the draw against Columbia. We still have our chances," he said.
Koto said facing Qatar won't be an easy proposition. "Every side comes to the World Cup so that when they go home, they go with points. It is the same for Qatar. The players will fight for their country. They will fight for their flag," he said.
"However, we have to be more motivated than Qatar for this match. The difference will be the side which remains more motivated to win. We have been in these situations before at many tournaments. As I said before, real football is 90 minutes on the pitch. We can talk as much as we want but what matters is how the 11 players take on the other 11 players," Koto said.
Qatar's coach Sanchez said the clash against Senegal will call for different tactics.
"We know the next game is going to be in a different style of play. It will be a different type of football and we are going to try to play well. Hopefully, we will get a good game," Sanchez said.
"Senegal is a very physical team and technically they are good. They are going to play in different way compared to Portugal and Colombia. They play effectively with quality players. Tough game for us but we will face them," the Spaniard said. In the other Group C clash today, Portugal, the group leaders, will take on Colombia in Dunedin.
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