Doha: In their last preparatory game before the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Qatar lost to Iran 1-2 at Khalifa international Stadium. Al Gharafa’s Mehdi Taremi gifted Iran 1-0 lead in the 17th minute and Hassan Al-Haydos equalized the match from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute. Sardar Azmoun scored the winner one minute after the interval. Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute after Pedro Miguel received his second yellow card. The marrons took on Kyrgyzstan and Algeria on 25 and 27 of December before beating Palestine on the 23rd. Felix Sanchez’s men will hope the momentum gained from the four friendlies will serve the team well next month when playing Lebanon on January 9 in the opening fixture at Asia’s most prestigious tournament. Qatar are in Group E with North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Iran have started training camp in Doha since Dec. 17. Iran have been drawn along with Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam in Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.