DOHA (AFP)– Qatar coach Bruno Metsu on Thursday explained that star midfielder Hussain Yaser was kicked off the hosts' Asian Cup squad due to his disruptive influence on team morale.
Team officials revealed on Wednesday that Yaser had stormed out of a training session the day before, reportedly in anger at having lost his place in the side to youngster Mohamed Al Sayed.
The 28-year-old former Manchester City player, who currently plays for Egyptian giants Al Zamalek, started the opening game against Uzbekistan but was substituted in the second half and did not play against China or Kuwait.
"I was expecting this question," said Metsu after being asked about Yaser at the press conference prior to his team's quarter-final against Japan.
"You have to be in the right state of mind, but if the players haven't got that kind of spirit, I think I have to kick them out.
"If a player doesn't have that state of mind it's a great shame, because a tournament like this is such a big opportunity.
"If they don't have the spirit, it's better for them to go."
Team manager Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud had previously told the Qatar Football Association website:"Yaser was removed because his response wasn't up to the expectations and he was absent from some training sessions."
Qatar take on Japan at Doha's Al Gharafa Stadium on Friday.
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