Abdelkarim Hassan has been in exemplary form at the both ends of the pitch as Qatar stormed into knockout stage and the Qatari captain has vowed to continue to lead by example as the AFC U23 Championship hosts look to maintain their 100% record when they face DPR Korea in Friday’s quarter-final clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
After bagging a brace as Qatar came from a goal down to defeat China 3-1 in the group Group A opener, the Al Sadd centre back was on target in the following 2-1 win over Iran and again as the tournament hosts sealed their place in the knockout stage with a 4-2 triumph against Syria.
His four goals have made him the joint top scorer along with team-mate Ahmed Alaaledin but Abdelkarim’s influence goes beyond his goal-scoring exploits, with the 22-year-old skipper keeping the Qatar machine running smoothly on the pitch.
“Being the captain is a big responsibility. I try to talk to my players on the field and make them calm and comfortable but I also have to push them in a positive way when needed,” said the 2012-13 Qatar Stars League Young Player of the Year, who is also one of the youngest ever players to feature in the AFC Champions League having debuted against Esteghlal in 2011 aged just 17.
“I try to join the attack and support the front line whenever I can. It gives my team more advantage. By God’s grace we performed well [against Syria] and we have qualified to the quarter-finals as group winners.
“We are doing a great job and we want to continue the same way.”
Abdelkarim’s appointment as captain of the under 23s is understandable given that he has already amassed over 40 caps for the senior national team and in addition to the threat he poses in attack he also forms a solid defensive partnership with Al Annabi teammate Ahmed Yasser Abdulrahman.
“We are the most experienced players in the team. We play in the senior team also, so we have the experience to protect  our goal. Inshallah we hope to continue in this way.”