Lopetegui eyes Saudi Arabia vs Iraq clash and praises Akram Afif's sacrifices

Julian Lopetegui, the head coach of Qatar, is watching the Saudi Arabia vs Iraq match before his team's game against the United Arab Emirates in Gulf Cup 27, to benefit from the details and understand his potential opponent in the next stage.

The Spanish coach stated that he will watch the match out of interest in football, but emphasized that the priority remains preparing the Qatari national team for the match against the United Arab Emirates and working to reach the best condition before the game.

Julen Lopetegui described the United Arab Emirates national team as one of the top contenders in the tournament, emphasizing the need for his players to focus on the match itself, especially given the short preparation period and the need for all elements to be fully ready.

Lopetegui praised Akram Afif after his position change in recent matches, confirming that the player has made sacrifices to fulfill the required role and serve the team, while also demonstrating his ability to score and create chances.

Qatar's coach expressed satisfaction with Akram Afif's performance and that of the other players, confirming that there is no concern about his appearance in the midfield, while emphasizing the continuation of collective performance in the upcoming matches.