2022 World Cup hosts believ­e they have nothin­g to fear from Blue Samura­iABU DHABHI: While Japan have the Asian Cup pedigree, Qatar’s over-achieving players might just feel that their name is on the trophy after a record-breaking run to their first-ever final. After surviving that ordeal, the 2022 World Cup hosts believe they have nothing to fear from Japan. “We have already realised a dream that the whole country had,” said striker Almoez Ali, who equalled Ali Daei’s record of eight goals in a single Asian Cup against the hosts on Tuesday. “We’re all fighting hard together for it.”Japan have never lost an Asian Cup final, while Qatar’s defence have kept a record six clean sheets. Though finely poised, the Qataris have yet to face a team as clinical as Japan — or one with as much tactical nous.

Source: The Express Tribune January 31, 2019 10:36 UTC