DOHA: After a feisty battle, hosts Qatar on Tuesday lost to IvoryCoast in

a friendly played at Lekhwiya Stadium.

The game was planned to give Qatar – coached by Felix Sanchez – ample

match practice ahead of the U23 Asian Cup to be played in Doha.

The only goal of the match was scored by Abdul Rahman Diarra in the

33rd minute.

Qatar – who beat the UAE and Australia in their last two friendlies – brought

their A game to the pitch.

The home team dominated play in phases but failed to convert half chances

in their favour.

With the absence of trio Abdul Karim Hassan, Akram Afif and Ali Asad – who

all started for Qatar in a 3-0 victory over Bhutan in a World Cup

qualifier – coach Sanchez ringed changes to give his players match

practice.

Qatar will be playing more friendly games in the coming weeks as they

prepare for the U23 Asian Cup in January.

Qatar is eyeing the 2016 Olympic Games berth by finishing in the top

three of the prestigious home event.