Qatar Football AssociationNews
22.03.2017 5:36 in :
DOHA: Qatar, coached by Jorge Fossati, on Thursday take on Iran in a

2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match with hopes of snatching three

points.

The Asian Zone qualifying match will be played at Al Sadd Stadium, a

venue where Qatar must look to get early breakthrough to seize edge in

what could be a thrilling game.

Qatar are currently at the fifth spot with four points from five

matches and will have to win maximum points from their remaining five

matches to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

Team Melli has been drawn along with South Korea, Uzbekistan, China,

Qatar and Syria in Group A in the third round of the competition.

The Iranians currently lead Group A by a solitary point from

second-placed Korea Republic, will host China at the Azadi Stadium in

Tehran five days after the Qatar match.

Iran have 11 points, followed by South Korea (10 points), Uzbekistan

remain hot on their heels in third place in the group with 9 points.

Syria lead the chasing pack but sit four points adrift of the Central

Asians, while Qatar and China desperately require victories if they

are to stand any chance of securing a top-three position.

Qatar have been preparing by playing a number of friendlies against

Russia, Moldova and Azerbaijan and also played a friendly against the

Qatar Olympic team in preparation for the crucial matches of the world

Cup qualifiers.

A win for Iran will strengthen their positions at the top of the

group, while Al Annabi will have to be on the guard not to concede

last goals like they did in the away match in Tehran which they lost

by two late goals last September.

The list of 23 players chosen by head coach Carlos Queiroz does not,

however, include the influential Ashkan Dejagah who has been ruled out

following the calf injury he sustained while playing for Bundesliga

side Wolfsburg last month.

The Iranian footballers arrived in Qatar on Saturday and have since

been training under close supervision of their Portuguese coach Carlos

Queiroz.

The visitors will be looking for a strong come back after being

defeated by Iraq in a friendly match at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on

Saturday, but Qatar are aiming to gain the most out of the advantage

of playing in front of a home crowd.

After the Iran match, Qatar travel to Tashkent to take on Uzbekistan

on March 28. Qatar next three matches are on June 13 against Korea

Republic, Syria on August 31 while they conclude their engagements

with a match against China on September 5.