Afghanistan’s status as football’s unknowns will have no bearing on Qatar’s approach as they clash in an Asian Group E joint qualifier for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup at the Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Stadium today.
Qatar’s group also includes India, Bangladesh and Oman, with the toppers along with the seven other group winners and four best runners-up advancing to the Asian Cup in China and the final round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
However, should Qatar — who have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as hosts — win their group, the seven other group winners and five best second-placed sides will advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The gulf between Qatar and Afghanistan is however enormous in more ways than one and doesn’t need elaboration, but that is something which Qatar’s battle-hardened coach Felix Sanchez dismissed in his typical matter-of-fact manner when asked if he would be taking the match lightly as Qatar are much stronger “on paper”.
“If all the results go according to team’s strengths on paper football would be a very boring sport,” Sanchez said at his pre-match press conference yesterday.
The Spaniard, who last week was also given charge of the country’s under-23 squad, knows the importance of making a strong start to any campaign.
“We are happy to start the qualifying campaign with a match at home, in front of our own fans. That is why it’s all the more important that we make a big impact. We are looking forward to a good game,” the Spaniard added.
Today’s match marks the first time Qatar will be playing on home soil after their Asian Cup triumph on February 1 in Dubai.
After the domestic season ended in May, the national team embarked on their first-ever Copa American campaign in Brazil where they acquitted themselves well, drawing 2-2 with Paraguay and falling to narrow defeats against Argentina (2-0) and Colombia (1-0).
The seriousness with which Sanchez takes international matches can be gauged from the fact that he and his support team made a thorough “study” of the Afghanistan team, despite them being ranked a lowly 149th in the FIFA world rankings.
“As I said no team can be taken lightly. We have studied them, as they must have studied us,” Sanchez insisted.
Sanchez also praised the spectacular launch of the emblem for the 2022 World Cup.
“It shows us we are really getting close to the World Cup. It’s another milestone in Qatar’s journey towards the tournament and also a great motivation for the team,” said Sanchez.
Qatar player Aasim Madibo also echoed the same view. “It’s good for us as players. The World Cup is really close. In fact tomorrow is the start of the World Cup,”
Also in Qatar’s group, India will look to new head coach Igor Stimac to guide them to their first victory in five meetings with Oman at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
Elsewhere, Philippines will be banking on home advantage when they face-off against a determined Syrian side in Bacolod City in Group A.
Another intriguing encounter awaits in Group B as Kuwait host a Nepal side, who return to this stage of the qualifiers after more than eight years, at the Stadium of Kuwait SC in the country’s capital.
Group C also promises a thrilling opener between two West Asian rivals as Bahrain host Iraq. The home side will be inspired by their narrow 1-0 victory over the Iraqis in the WAFF Championship final last month, but the Lions of Mesopotamia have proven their mettle against some of Asia’s best, setting up a scintillating battle in Manama.
In Group D, Hector Cuper’s Uzbekistan will be on a mission to replicate their last qualification campaign which saw them sail into the final stages, as they travel to Palestine, who will be just as eager to build on their best-ever AFC Asian Cup performance in front of their home fans.
Kyrgyz Republic face a tricky trip to Central Zone rivals Tajikistan in what is expected to be an exciting Group F clash while Mongolia aim to continue their historic run when they host Myanmar in Ulaanbaatar.
Asean rivalry is the focus in Group G when UAE 2019 surprise packages, Vietnam, travel to Thailand while Indonesia and Malaysia face-off in what promises to be an exhilarating atmosphere at a sold-out Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Group H will see DPR Korea revisit their UAE 2019 group rivals, Lebanon, at the Kim II Sung Stadium in Pyongyang as Sri Lanka go up against Turkmenistan at the Colombo Race Course Ground.
Qatar national team players take part in a training session on the eve of their 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup qualifying match against Afghanistan yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
