Thank you for not sacking me, says Qatar coach Metsu

DOHA: Flamboyant French coach Bruno Metsu has thanked his Qatar football bosses for not sacking him.

Metsu, who has been in the job since September 2008, has steered his team into the Asian Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in their history.

But his position was tenuous after the host nation lost their opening match to Uzbekistan 2-0.

Over the years, failure at the tournament has seen many heads roll and Saudi Arabia maintained the tradition when they lost their opener in Doha to Syria 2-1, immediately firing Jose Peseiro.

Metsu was grateful he avoided the same fate.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all the Qatar officials for their trust in me after losing the first match against Uzbekistan and they did not resort to actions like the Saudi Football Federation,” he said.

The relieved Metsu was speaking after Qatar beat Kuwait 3-0 to book their place in the last eight.

“I dedicate this win to the officials and the Qatar Football Association and all the players,” he added.

Uzbekistan joined Qatar in the last eight after they grabbed the point they needed in a 2-2 draw with China to top Group A with seven points from three matches, one ahead of Qatar with China third on four and Kuwait last with none.