Confident Qatar eye points in Iran clash in Doha
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.