Doha: Qatar’s national team coach Luis Garcia struck a tone of cautious optimism ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, emphasizing his squad’s readiness to overcome both a spirited home side and challenging conditions. “We respect Kyrgyzstan—they’re strong at home, backed by passionate fans, and have shown quality against top teams. But our players are professionals, focused on securing a positive result to keep our qualification hopes alive,” Garcia stated during a rain-soaked press conference at the match stadium. The Maroons enter the clash buoyed by their recent 5-1 thrashing of North Korea but face hurdles: rainy weather in Bishkek, Ramadan timing, and squad absences. Garcia, however, dismissed concerns, noting, “We’ve played in Ramadan before and adapted well. While we have some absentees, I trust every player here to step up.” Midfielder Lucas echoed his coach’s confidence, adding, “We’ve studied Kyrgyzstan and know what to expect. Our experience in high-pressure away matches will be key.” Kyrgyzstan’s Russian coach Maksim Lisitsyn acknowledged Qatar’s pedigree but vowed to leverage home advantage. “Qatar is a top Asian team with skilled players, but we’ll fight to dominate tactically. Our fans will be our 12th man,” he said, referencing his team’s narrow 1-0 loss to Uzbekistan, where they played with 10 men. Persistent rain in Bishkek has raised questions about pitch conditions, though forecasts suggest it may ease by matchday. Qatar trained on the soggy stadium field to acclimatize, while local media flocked to pre-match briefings, underscoring the fixture’s significance for both nations. With Qatar third in Group A (10 points) and Kyrgyzstan fifth (3 points), the match offers Al Annabi a chance to solidify their standing ahead of tougher tests against Iran and Uzbekistan.