Qatar, Lebanon prepare for a cracker of a game

Even before the Asian Rugby Championship Division III West Central began, there was anticipation that Qatar and Lebanon will face off in the title-decider.Two matches later, that’s exactly what will happen.Lebanon’s 34-12 win over Iran on Tuesday evening ensured that the winner of Friday’s match between the hosts and Lebanon will have bragging rights in the region. The decider will get underway at 6.15pm at the Aspire Warm Up and purpose built rugby track.Lebanon’s win on Tuesday against Iran was courtesy three converted penalty tries (21 points). They led 13-7 at the break and in the end proved too strong an outfit, exactly like the label of favourites that they had going into the game.As far as the points table is concerned, Qatar, who also beat Iran 35-12 in the tournament opener on Saturday, and Lebanon, who have won the Division III title for three straight years, both are on five points.“We feel confident after beating Iran. We have been waiting to play Qatar for a long time now. Up until now, we both have been dodging each other. But the truth of the matter is we will meet on Friday and I believe the Lebanese team has what it takes to win,” said the vice-captain of the Lebanese outfit, Ray Finan.“So there’s plenty at stake for this game.  We are playing to win and to prove we are the best side in the Division. Qatar wants to win because they have to win in front of their supporters.”Commenting on whether the home team is feeling the pinch, Qatar captain Tom Featherstone said, “Of course there’s pressure. We are playing in front our supporter base. We have the QOC, the (Qatar Rugby) Federation and all of Qatar watching and expecting us to win. That amounts to a lot of pressure.”He added: “When we went into this championship, our focus was to always take it one game at a time rather than winning both. But now that we have won the first match we are thinking about the trophy. We will use all that pressure as a source of energy and apply on the pitch.”Speaking about the Lebanese side, he said, “They’re a strong side, they are the defending champions so I expect them to come out at us as hard as they can. It’s going to be a cracker of a game.”Most tries2: Huw Kinsella (Qatar), Sadegh Pakdaman (Iran)Most penalties1: Ben Abood (Lebanon), Paul Beard (Qatar), Karim Jammal (Lebanon)Most conversions4: Karim Jammal (Lebanon)Top players (Top three)1. K Jammal (Lebanon) 11 points (1 penalty, 4 conversions)2. H Kinsella (Qatar) 10 (2 tries)2. S Pakdaman (Iran) 10 (2 tries)