Goalkeepers Yatimov and Barsham focused on studying threats

Both goalkeepers have been keeping an eye on the opposition strikers’ techniques ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Group A encounter between Tajikistan and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium today.
Tajikistan’s Rustam Yatimov kept a clean sheet in his nation’s first-ever Asian Cup match, when they earned a goalless draw against China, but his attempt to make it two clean sheets from two will see him face Qatar’s devastating double-act of Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, who combined for all of the hosts’ goals in their opening match 3-0 win over Lebanon.
“For sure tomorrow the opponent will be very tough,” said Yatimov. “Qatar are a very well organised team, they are one of the favourites but once kick-off comes, it will all be 50-50 and we will try to do our best and to get a good result.
“After such a good performance against China, recovery is easier so the players are happy and we are approaching the game in a good mood and with the right mindset. The most important thing is that everyone is healthy.”
Yatimov was present between the sticks for his clubside Istiklol when they faced Ali’s Al Duhail on two occasions in Group E of the AFC Champions League 2023-24, with the Qatari forward unable to find the back of the net across 180 minutes, a record the Tajikistan keeper is eager to extend.
“Our coaching staff always bring video analysis showing us the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents, I have never played against Afif, but I played against Almoez [Ali] in the AFC Champions League against Al Duhail and in two games he couldn’t score, and I hope I will continue my good record against him.”
Despite the strong start to the campaign, and their status as reigning champions and hosts, Qatar goalkeeper Meshal Barsham warned his side of the threat of their upcoming opponents, especially in attack. “All matches in this tournament are difficult,” said Barsham.
“There are no easy opponents. We have to take it one game at a time, but we have to prepare very well and try our best to win and get the three points. Tajikistan are a strong team, we watched their last game, and we can see their strengths in attack and their pace in transition. Everyone watches videos of their opponents, but the same for me as a goalkeeper I do the same thing and I watch their forwards too. The coach has given us the right instructions to deal with them and we have to follow that. In football, you can expect anything. We just have to do our best, but after that you cannot predict what happens in the 90 minutes.”
(the-afc.com)