PHOENIX, Arizona – Experience always plays a big part in tournaments, especially when it comes to the knockout stage.
For Qatar and El Salvador, their experiences in past tournaments are bound to shape their approach to Saturday night’s 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Qatar can take solace in the fact that they can rely on the same guile and experience that saw them navigate their way through the knockout rounds of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup before defeating Japan in the Final.
There’s a very good chance that experience will come in handy against El Salvador.
“In regards to experience and playing in tournaments, I think we have had a plan for a long time to join some tournaments, like this strong tournament. I think we are doing well in our job and I think in the three games we have had good results,” said Qatar FW Ismail Mohamad in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com
“We are trying to reach the final because I think we’re doing very well, but we are also going step by step. Our next step is against El Salvador and we are going to try to do a good job against them and we’ll try to win and go to the semifinals. That is our plan, to go step by step to reach the point we want,” added Mohamad.
El Salvador DF Bryan Tamacas had the experience in playing in two previous Gold Cups for La Selecta, including the last time they competed in a knockout round stage game in 2017.
There is a feeling within El Salvador that this team can be the one that qualifies the country for its first ever Gold Cup semifinal.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have played two Gold Cups before, and I think the difference this time is the feeling that we have from the first minute. Back home the people are really passionate and they are back to feeling that passion for the national team and that motivates you as a player. I think ever since the feeling of the first game, it has been a process that has felt good and that makes you all the more eager to do things well and to make history by reaching a first semifinal,” said Tamacas to Concacaf.com.
“It’s nice to see people speak well of the national team again, and when the national team is playing, you see a lot of people wearing the jersey on the streets. That’s very gratifying so we’re excited for tomorrow’s game to bring more joy to the people,” concluded Tamacas.
