AUSTIN, Texas — First-time participants at the Concacaf Gold Cup Qatar departs the 2021 edition after an impressive showing that culminated in a tightly contested 1-0 loss in the semifinals against the United States.
“I think it was a great tournament for us,” said Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez following the match. “Very competitive games that we were looking for so unfortunately, today, we couldn't make it. I think that the team, they gave everything on the field.”
The reigning AFC Asian Cup champions were locked in a scoreless encounter with the six-time Gold Cup winners until the 86th minute of the match, when the winner was scored by U.S. forward Gyasi Zardes.
“In the first half, we created the best chances. I think the team grew during the first half,” said Sanchez.
“In the second half. I think we started the same way,” continued the Spaniard. “Unfortunately, I think, after we missed the penalty, we changed, a little, the game,” added Sanchez.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts are the second team from Asia to reach the Gold Cup semifinals. South Korea participated in the 2002 edition and reached the final four prior to hosting the World Cup themselves.
The Gulf nation finished first in Group D and scored the most goals out of anyone in the group stage with nine. Forward Almoez Ali was the top scorer for his nation and could finish as the tournament’s top scorer depending on the outcome of the final.
Qatar faced five different Concacaf nations and could cross paths with a team from this region on home soil at next year’s World Cup.
“We were playing out of our region against teams that we cannot play very often,” said Sanchez. “To have the opportunity to play this tournament, it was great for us. We have a better knowledge, if we need to face them again in official competition, which should be hopefully in 2022.”
