DOHA: Spanish coach Marquez Lopez expressed his disappointment on Thursday following Qatar's 3-1 defeat to the UAE in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Despite an encouraging start and an early lead, Qatar failed to sustain their advantage and ultimately lost. Lopez acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic about the team's chances, noting that with nine matches still remaining in the qualifiers, there is ample opportunity to turn things around. He stressed the necessity of securing a win in their next match against North Korea, scheduled for September 10 in Laos. Lopez emphasized that victory is crucial for regaining momentum. "The chances in Group A are still alive. With nine matches left, there's plenty of time for the situation to change," Lopez stated. "We need to bounce back with a strong performance against North Korea and aim for the three points." The coach expressed confidence in his players' ability to deliver a high-level performance in the upcoming games and secure the necessary victories. "I believe in the players' potential and their capacity to rise to the occasion. We must approach the next match with determination and the goal of achieving a win," he concluded.