Qatar have earned the right to keep dreaming at the World Cup after captain Boualem Khoukhi’s stoppage-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and a first-ever point at the tournament, coach Julen Lopetegui said yesterday.
Khoukhi powered home Homam Ahmed’s cross in the 94th minute to cancel out Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty and snatch a point that left all four teams in Group B level after one round of matches.
For Lopetegui, however, the significance of the result stretched beyond the standings.
“We achieved one dream when we arrived here, to be here, and now today is another little dream,” the Spaniard told reporters.
“And we have the right to continue having the dream.”
The late goal sparked jubilant celebrations among Qatar’s players after they spent much of the match absorbing Swiss pressure, with Switzerland registering 26 attempts on goal to Qatar’s seven.
Lopetegui said his side never abandoned the game plan, even after falling behind in the 17th minute.
“We made very few changes, but we had to keep our plan because if you... want to open too early against a team like Switzerland, you will suffer a lot,” he said.
Qatar remained compact and disciplined, continuing to defend in numbers rather than chasing the game, a strategy Lopetegui said was necessary against a side boasting top-level talent throughout the squad.
“We believe, we work, we resist, we are resilient,” he said. “In the end, we have one big award for us.”
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