Sanchez thanks lucky charm Xavi as Qatar triumph

Bengaluru/ Abu Dhabi, February 1: Qatar's coach Felix Sanchez wants midfield great Xavi Hernandez to predict all of the country's results after the former Barcelona maestro successfully foretold their AFC Asian Cup triumph.

FIFA 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar claimed their first major honour with a 3-1 final win over Japan, as Almoez Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim and Akram Hassan Afif scored in a stunning victory.

Sanchez's men consequently delivered on the forecast from his fellow Spaniard Xavi, who currently plies his trade with Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd.

🇶🇦🏆🥇
Qatar made history and won their maiden @afcasiancup trophy, defeating four-time champions Japan in the #AsianCup2019 decider.

Highlights & report
👉https://t.co/wavjncqHGg pic.twitter.com/WDoZnVWnkh

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 1, 2019

The Qatar head coach responded at full-time by suggesting the 39-year-old could become a lucky charm.

"I'm going to call [Xavi] and tell him to predict all the next games just to make sure that we know what's going to happen in the future," former Barca youth coach Sanchez said.

"With regards to Xavi, he is a great person and he is supporting us a lot. I'm very happy also for him."

Sanchez was delighted with both sides of Qatar's game as they excelled in attack in the opening period before standing firm after Takumi Minamino breached their defence for the first time in the tournament.

"I have no words. We beat an outstanding, outstanding team," he said.

"In the first half, we played very well. In the second half, we had to defend a lot because obviously they want to win the title as well. It was a very tough game. We suffered and we know how to suffer.

"I'm very happy for the players and all of the people in Qatar who have supported us from the beginning. It's very well deserved. I'm very happy. I have no words."

(With inputs from OPTA)