‘We have the right to dream’: Qatar keep faith after crucial draw with Switzerland

SAN FRANCISCO – Qatar have earned the right to keep dreaming at the World Cup after they salvaged a late 1-1 draw against Switzerland and a first-ever point at the tournament, coach Julen Lopetegui said on June 13.

Miro Muheim, under pressure from Qatari captain Boualem Khoukhi, headed into his own net from Homam Ahmed’s cross in the 94th minute to cancel out Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty, as the Asian nation snatched a point which left all four teams in Group B level after one round of matches.

But for Lopetegui, the significance of the result at Levi’s Stadium in California stretched beyond the standings.

“We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream,” the Spaniard told reporters.

“And we have the right to continue having the dream.”

The late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among Qatar’s players after they spent much of the match absorbing pressure from the Swiss, who registered 26 attempts at goal to Qatar's seven.

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin felt his side had “lost two points”.

He said: “We had an idea and we wanted to be very dominant, very attacking. We created very good chances, but unfortunately we weren’t always efficient. Maybe we weren’t smart enough, not precise enough in the end.

“At the end of the day, unfortunately, we lost two points.”

Lopetegui said his side never abandoned the game plan, even after falling behind in the 17th minute.

“We made very few changes, but we had to keep our plan because if you... want to open too early against a team like Switzerland, you will suffer a lot,” the 59-year-old said.

Qatar remained compact and disciplined, continuing to defend in numbers rather than chasing the game, a strategy Lopetegui said was necessary against a side boasting top-level talent throughout their squad.

“We believe, we work, we resist, we are resilient,” he said. “In the end, we have one big award for us.”

Lopetegui reserved special praise for his team’s mentality, saying he would have been proud of their efforts even without the dramatic equaliser.

“I was very proud about the mentality, about the discipline that they showed today,” he said.

Lopetegui quickly turned his attention to the meeting with co-hosts Canada on June 18, warning that recovery would be crucial after a physically draining contest.

Qatar have one day fewer to recover than Canada and must travel before the match, while many of the Spaniard’s players are still adapting to the demands of World Cup football.

“Our players need sometimes more time than the rest of the players because they are not used to this kind of rhythm,” he said.

“We have to make one big effort to recover well and to be ready for the next big, big challenge.”

For now, though, Qatar’s campaign remains alive.

“It’s going to be tough, difficult,” Lopetegui said. “But we win our right.”

Continuing the Asian Football Confederation’s strong start to the tournament, Australia spoilt Turkey’s return to the World Cup stage after 24 years by securing a 2-0 victory in their Group D opener on June 13, courtesy of goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe and a rock-solid defence.

The Australians created little but took their chances superbly at BC Place in Vancouver, while waves of Turkish attacks were repelled by their well-drilled defence as the Socceroos snatched a victory few would have predicted.

Irankunda, 20, said: “People underestimate us a lot, but we showed them today we can play. They kept the ball a lot more but who scored the goals?” REUTERS