Qatar Team to Start Gulf Cup Mission against UAE

Manama, January 04 (QNA) - Qatar's national football team kick off their Gulf Cup campaign on Saturday against UAE on the tournament's opening day. The Maroon were pitted against UAE, Oman and Bahrain, who host the 21st edition of the region's football showpiece between January 5 and 18. Qatar will look forward to beating UAE in the opening game in order to ease the pressure ahead of the clash with Oman, before taking on the tournament hosts in the final game of the group stage. The national team has two titles to their name, in 1992 and 2004, both won on home soil. The Maroon will need to improve on that record if they are to add a third title to their cup cabinet. Head coach Paulo Autuori said he wants to offer modern competitive football in the team's opening game tomorrow, noting that they face a difficult opponent, and it will take great effort to win the clash. (QNA)