Rétro 2019

Année heureuse, victorieuse et prometteuse pour le Qatar

Players of Qatar celebrate with the AFC Asian Cup trophy — © Getty Images

Le Qatar, meilleure progression de l'année au Classement FIFA
Premier sacre en Coupe d'Asie des Nations de l'AFC
Objectif : la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2022 à domicile

Le Qatar est habitué à organiser des compétitions mondiales dans de nombreuses disciplines. La dernière en date, la Coupe du Monde des Clubs de la FIFA 2019, a démontré l’accueil que le pays sait réserver aux champions, et n’est qu’un avant-goût de ce que promet la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2022™.

Mais l’année 2019 a prouvé que le Qatar se sent également à l’aise lorsqu’il s’agit d’enfiler lui-même le costume de champion. Grâce notamment à leur historique en Coupe d’Asie des Nations de l’AFC, Al-Annabi (les Bordeaux) ont réalisé la meilleure progression de l’année au Classement Mondial FIFA/Coca-Cola.

Les Qatariens ont avancé de 38 places et engrangé 138 points dans la hiérarchie mondiale lors des 12 derniers mois, pour occuper en fin d’année la 55ème position. À la même époque l’an dernier, ils pointaient au 93ème rang et s’apprêtaient à vivre une année chargée, et pleine de dangers, mais qu’ils ont brillamment négociée.

FIFA.com revient sur trois temps forts de leurs 12 mois écoulés.

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Classement mondial FIFA/Coca-Cola

1 - Coupe d’Asie des Nations de l’AFC

Exploit n’est pas un mot exagéré pour qualifier la première victoire du Qatar en Coupe d’Asie de l’AFC. Les hommes de Félix Sanchez ont enchaîné sept victoires jusqu’au titre, alors qu’ils n'avaient jamais remporté le moindre match à élimination directe dans l’épreuve au cours des neuf éditions précédentes. Dans cette série, ils ont notamment dominé trois équipes asiatiques présentes à Russie 2018 : l’Arabie Saoudite en phase de groupes, la République de Corée en quart de finale, et le Japon en finale.

Sur le plan individuel, Almoez Ali a inscrit neuf buts, battant ainsi le record sur une seule édition du légendaire artilleur iranien Ali Daei en 1996 (huit). Sur le plan défensif, seul le Japonais Takumi Minamino en finale a réussi à faire trembler les filets.

2 - Copa América 2019

Invité par la CONMEBOL au même titre que le Japon, le Qatar prend part pour la première fois de son histoire à la compétition reine d’Amérique du Sud. Au Brésil, les Asiatiques ne se fixent aucun objectif chiffré, et veulent surtout emmagasiner de l’expérience face à des formations de haut niveau en gardant à l’esprit leur but principal : être bien préparés pour "leur" Coupe du Monde à domicile en 2022.

Al-Annabi sont placés dans le Groupe B en compagnie de l'Argentine, de la Colombie et du Paraguay. Comme attendu, ils ne franchissent pas ce premier obstacle, mais font bonne figure en arrachant un nul encourageant en revenant au score face au Paraguay (2-2) après avoir été menés 0-2, et concèdent deux défaites honorables face aux poids lourds colombien (0-1) et argentin (0-2). Mais l’expérience est bénéfique : ils sont préparés à l’adversité qui les attend sur la scène asiatique.

Maya Yoshida of Japan looks dejected as he shakes hands with players of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Maya Yoshida of Japan looks dejected as he shakes hands with players of Qatar following his sides defeat in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Hiroki Sakai of Japan battles for possession with Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Hiroki Sakai of Japan battles for possession with Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Former South Korean international Park Jisung presents the trophy

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Former South Korean international Park Ji-sung presents the trophy before the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Japanese fans cheer prior to kick-off

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Japanese fans cheer prior to the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Head coach Hajime Moriyasu of Japan looks on

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu of Japan looks on prior to the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Ritsu Doan of Japn in action

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Ritsu Doan of Japn in action during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Almoez Ali of Qatar scores the opening goal

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Almoez Ali of Qatar scores the opening goal during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Almoez Ali (2nd L) of Qatar celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team mates

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Almoez Ali (2nd L) of Qatar celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team mates during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Almoez Ali of Qatar celebrates after scoring his team's first goal

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Almoez Ali of Qatar celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar dribbles

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar battles for possession with Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan and Gaku Shibasaki of Japan during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar reacts

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar reacts during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Abdelaziz Hatim of Qatar scores his team's second goal

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Abdelaziz Hatim of Qatar scores his team's second goal past Maya Yoshida of Japan during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Abdelaziz Hatim (C) of Qatar scores his side's second goal past Shuichi Gonda of Japan

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Abdelaziz Hatim (C) of Qatar scores his side's second goal past Shuichi Gonda of Japan during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Abdelaziz Hatim (C) of Qatar celebrates scoring his side's second goal with his teammates

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Abdelaziz Hatim (C) of Qatar celebrates scoring his side's second goal with his team mates during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Hasan Al Haydos (top) joins celebrations as Abdelaziz Hatim scores their second goal

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Hasan Al Haydos (top) joins celebration as Abdelaziz Hatim scores their second goal during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Japanese players huddle prior to the second half

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Japanese players huddle prior to the second half of the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Boualem Khoukhi of Qatar and Hiroki Sakai of Japan compete for the ball

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Boualem Khoukhi of Qatar and Hiroki Sakai of Japan compete for the ball during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Takumi Minamino of Japan battles for possession with Salem Al Hajri of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Takumi Minamino of Japan battles for possession with Salem Al Hajri of Qatar during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Takumi Minamino of Japan scores his team's first goal past Saad Al Sheeb of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Takumi Minamino of Japan scores his team's first goal past Saad Al Sheeb of Qatar during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Takumi Minamino of Japan celebrates scoring his side's first goal

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Takumi Minamino of Japan celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar prepares for the penalty

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar prepares for the penalty during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Akram Hassan Afif of Qatar celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot during the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

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Felix Sanchez, Manager of Qatar celebrates with his backroom staff and players of Qatar at the final whistle

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Felix Sanchez, Manager of Qatar celebrates with his backroom staff and players of Qatar at the final whistle following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Players of Qatar celebrate following their side's victory

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Players of Qatar celebrate following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands over the AFC Asian Cup trophy to Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands over the AFC Asian Cup trophy to Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Players of Qatar celebrate with the AFC Asian Cup trophy

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Players of Qatar celebrate with the AFC Asian Cup trophy following their victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Abdulkarim Al-Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim, Saad Al Sheeb, Hasan Al Haydos and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar celebrates with the AFC Asian Cup trophy

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Abdulkarim Al-Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim, Saad Al Sheeb, Hasan Al Haydos and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar celebrates with the AFC Asian Cup Trophy following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Khaled Mohammed, Abdelkarim Hassan and Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar celebrate with the AFC Asian trophy

13 janv. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Khaled Mohammed, Abdelkarim Hassan and Hasan Al Haydos of Qatar celebrate with the AFC Asian Trophy following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Tameem Mohammed and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar celebrate

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Tameem Mohammed and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar celebrate following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Tarek Salman, Tameem Mohammed and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar pose for a photo

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Tarek Salman, Tameem Mohammed and Abdelkarim Hassan of Qatar pose for a photo following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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Felix Sanchez, manager of Qatar celebrates with Abdelaziz Hatim, Hasan Al Haydos and Saad Al Sheeb of Qatar

01 févr. 2019

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Felix Sanchez, Manager of Qatar celebrate with Abdelaziz Hatim, Hasan Al Haydos and Saad Al Sheeb of Qatar following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

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3 - Qualifications pour la Coupe du Monde 2022

Même si sa place est déjà assurée en tant que pays hôte, le Qatar prend part à la compétition préliminaire de la Zone Asie pour la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2022™, puisqu’elle sert également de qualifications pour la Coupe d’Asie des Nations de l’AFC 2023.

Les cinq matches disputés en 2019 confirment le nouveau statut du Qatar : quatre victoires et un nul dans le Groupe E, 11 buts inscrits et un seul encaissé.

À retenir en 2019 :

- Classement mondial au 1er janvier : 93
- Classement mondial au 31 décembre : 55
- Points engrangés : 138
- Bilan : 21 matches, 14 victoires, 2 nuls, 5 défaites, 45 buts pour, 14 buts contre- Coupe d’Asie de l’AFC : Almoez Ali, 9 buts en sept matches, un record
- Coupe d’Asie de l’AFC : Saad Al Sheeb, 609 minutes sans encaisser de but, un record
- Coupe d’Asie de l’AFC : Akram Afif, 10 passes décisives en sept matches, un record