Doha, November 16 (QNA) - President of Al-Ahli Club Abdullah Al Mulla affirmed that the first match is important for the Qatari national team in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when it meets Ecuador at Al-Bayt Stadium next Sunday.

He said that this match will be historical, being the first match for the Qatari team in the World Cup since its inception in 1930, in addition, it is an opening match for the championship, which is being held for the first time in the Arab world and the Middle East region.

In an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al-Ahli club president added that the dream has become true, with the Qatari national team's participation in the World Cup after many years of waiting, and there is no doubt that the match with the Ecuadorian national team will be a nerve-wracking match that is not without pressure. However, the previous versions of the World Cup often witnessed the superiority of the hosts in the opening matches, especially in the last four versions.

He pointed out that the Ecuadorian team, which ranks fourth in South America, is not underestimated, consequently, coach Felix Sanchez must know all the subtleties of the competing team, which includes a group of the most prominent players in its ranks, especially goalkeeper Alexandre Dominguez, midfielders Carlos Gruezo and Angel Mina, and striker Enner Valencia.

He said, "The important thing is that Al-Adam achieves results worthy of the reputation of Qatari football, and comes out of the opening match with a positive and satisfactory result." he said. adding that personally, I expect a 1-1 draw, and if this result is achieved, the national team will be in a good position towards reaching the round of 16 at least.

Al Mulla explained that the Qatar Football Association (QFA) has put all the capabilities to provide a qualified team to participate in this global football event through the national team's camps, friendly matches, and participation in major continental tournaments, adding that we do not want the players to be under great pressure, as they are well aware of the importance of the championship and the historic opportunity that awaits them to defend the reputation of Qatari, Arab and Asian football.

The president of Al-Ahli Club said that there are many nominations that precede the start of the World Cup, and competition is a legitimate right for everyone. The Qatari team presented a great level in the Copa America Cup that took place in Brazil 2019, and recorded a remarkable presence despite its knock out from the group stage. The same case was in the Gold Cup tournament, and in the Asian Nations Cup, which won its title in the last edition of 2019, in addition to his presence in the European qualifiers. All these occasions and experiences in which the national team participated made it more experienced and mature in order to compete with the most powerful teams in the World Cup.

He noted that the second match that Al-Aadam will play in Group A against the Senegalese national team, which will be held on Nov. 25 at Al-Thumama Stadium, will be the most difficult confrontation in the group in light of the strength of the African champion, which follows a different approach to the Ecuadorian and Dutch national teams, in light of its reliance on physical strength, pointing out that the technical staff will prepare well, in order to fight the match with a specific tactic.

At the end of his statements to QNA, president of Al-Ahli Club noted that the match with the Netherlands national team, which will be hosted by Al-Bayt Stadium on Nov. 29, will be different from the matches with Ecuador and Senegal, because the European teams adopt the modern comprehensive football method. " We hope that our national team will be able to present an honorable performance and delight the Qatari and Arab fans in the World Cup." he added. (QNA)