Lopetegui: Qatar are in Saudi Arabia to win the Gulf Cup

Julen Lopetegui says Qatar are competing for the Arabian Gulf Cup (Gulf 17) title and are not using the tournament as preparation for the Asian Cup.

The Gulf Cup is being held in Saudi Arabia from 24 September to 6 October, with Qatar beginning their campaign against Bahrain in Group B.

“Bahrain have an excellent coach who is doing a good job,” Qatar manager Lopetegui told reporters. “They have good quality and a lot of strength. We know that, and we will give everything we have.”

Lopetegui said Qatar would need to produce their best performance against a Bahrain side that have won the competition twice.

“All the teams are at a very high level,” he said. “Bahrain have won the tournament twice, and we will do everything we can to achieve the best possible result against them. After that, we will work on what comes next. There is a strong spirit in the Gulf Cup.”

Qatar have previously won the Gulf Cup three times, in 1992, 2004 and 2014.

“We are not here to prepare for the Asian Cup,” Lopetegui added. “We have come to win the Gulf Cup, which is important to us.”

In Group A, Saudi Arabia opened the competition with a 1-0 victory over Kuwait, while Iraq drew 1-1 with Oman.

The first round of Group B continues on Thursday with two matches. United Arab Emirates face Yemen before Bahrain meet Qatar.