DOHA: Following a month-long intensive preparation stint, coach

Jose Daniel Carreno feels his side is fully geared up to take on Iran

in the opening match of the third round of the Asian Zone of the

2018 FIFA World Cup next Thursday.

“We had sufficient time to plan and prepare for the games in

September. ‎the players were on a break and now they are

back. We had one month to prepare for the match against

Iran’’.

“I am now focusing on the 2018 third round qualifiers,” said

the Uruguayan, who is leading Al Anabi through an impressive World

Cup qualification campaign so far. “Every third round qualifier

is a tough assignment and we start our campaign against Iran,

who did very well in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It would be

important to qualify for Russia – it will pivotal before the country

hosts the 2022 World Cup, we have a great deal of respect for Iran,

but we do not fear them’’.

‘’The players are aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting

them, my job is to set up this group of players to be ready to

any scenario, we will go to Iran with our sights on all three

points, however, it is impossible to predict what might happen

on gameday’’.

On August 8, Qatar took on Iraq in Doha before playing Spanish

side Real Betis on August 13 in Zurich.

Qatar faced Jordan on August 18 in Zurich followed by an friendly

against Thailand on August 24 in Doha, in which they signaled

good form following a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

Qatar fly out to Tehran on August 30. On September 6, Qatar face

Uzbekistan in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game

at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.