Asian Cup: Xavi predictions give Qatar fans hope as Barcelona legend gets the last laugh
- Qatar-based player was derided for saying World Cup 2022 hosts would win tournament
- Barca icon correctly predicted seven of eight quarter-finalists and three of four semi-finalists
The World Cup winner, who has played with Al Sadd in Qatar since leaving the Camp Nou in 2015, predicted Qatar would lift the trophy by beating Japan in the final.
Japan defied the odds to beat tournament favourites Iran 3-0 in the first semi-final and book their place in Friday’s showpiece.
Qatar can join them there if they see off hosts the UAE in Tuesday’s other semi-final, and if they do make it then they can take hope from Xavi’s predictions.
The Spaniard made his selections on Qatari television channel Al Kass Sports back in December and despite derision at the time, they have been eerily accurate.
Al Kass posted that “Xavi’s predictions are correct to date” on January 25 after Qatar had beaten South Korea in the quarter-final.
Xavi correctly picked seven of the eight quarter-finalists – Iran, Japan, Qatar, UAE, South Korea, Australia and China – only falling foul with Syria, as Vietnam also made it through.
He would have predicted all four semi-finalists correctly had Australia beaten the UAE.
Qatar play the UAE in the second semi-final at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Kick-off is 10pm (Hong Kong time).
