Kuwait head coach Juan Pizzi.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 28: Kuwait coach Juan Pizzi expressed pride in his team’s performance following its impressive display against Qatar, a match that secured Kuwait's spot in the semi-finals of "Khaleeji  Zain 26."

Speaking at a press conference after the game, Pizzi vowed to give his all to bring joy to Kuwaiti fans for the remainder of the tournament. “We feel the fans' support and will harness all the team’s capabilities and skills to achieve victory,” he stated.

Pizzi revealed that the team’s optimism and step-by-step preparation were key to advancing through the group stage. However, he acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that the semi-finals will bring greater psychological pressure on the players. He emphasized that the technical staff is working diligently to ensure the team is fully prepared, even for the possibility of extra time.

Qatar coach Luis Garcia, speaking at the same conference, expressed disappointment with the outcome, despite his team’s efforts to secure a win and qualify. “We did everything to achieve victory, but luck was not on our side,” he said. Garcia highlighted the numerous opportunities his team had during the match but admitted they fell short of converting them into goals. He also noted that the final minutes of the game were marked by intense competition and enthusiasm, though the players’ efforts did not yield the desired result.