Soccer: Qatar confident but cautious before Iraq 'final'

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Group E - Saudi Arabia v Qatar - Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - January 17, 2019 Qatar coach Felix Sanchez Bas gestures during the match REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Qatar were the surprise package in the group stage of the Asian Cup but coach Felix Sanchez has been drilling it into his players that their early form will count for nothing in their first knockout clash against Iraq on Tuesday.

With their hosting of the World Cup only three years away, the Qataris were desperate for a good showing in the United Arab Emirates to indicate they are on the right path for 2022.