Qatar coach Sanchez breaks silence after World Cup elimination

FILE - Qatar's coach Felix Sanchez reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Qatar, at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

After losing 3-1 to Senegal in their second group game, Qatar registered the worst World Cup record as hosts following their 2-0 defeat to Ecuador in the opening game.

Head coach Felix Sanchez tried to remain upbeat at the post-game press conference, saying "the World Cup will finish, but football continues."

"I think the game was more or less what we expected. It was hard for us to keep possession in the first half, but we managed to keep control of game during the second half, created a few chances and scored a goal," Sanchez said. "We will forget about today and move on."

"Today we showed what we are able to do. The team made great effort trying to be competitive in the game," the Spaniard added. "We had a better performance compared to the first game."

Qatar will face runners-up of the 2010 South Africa World Cup, the Netherlands, in their final group game on Tuesday, opponents that Sanchez admitted that "will be tougher ones."

"We have a very tough game ahead. We will get ready and give it all," Sanchez said.