Qatar are set to face table-toppers Iran in the World Cup qualifying fixture.
Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui has warned against mistakes that can “cost dearly” against Iran on Thursday.
Lopetegui was appointed in May to resurrect Qatar’s World Cup hopes and will face the group toppers in his debut at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, with a direct qualification spot out of bounds.
Al Annabi sit fourth in the table with ten points in eight matches and will need to maintain that to be in contention for an indirect route to the World Cup in North America next year.
Their opponents on Thursday, meanwhile, have already qualified for the premier competition, and Lopetegui is wary of the challenges against the second-ranked team in Asia.
“Matches like these hinge on details,” Lopetegui said on Wednesday ahead of the tie. “We need absolute focus. We must avoid any mistakes that could cost us dearly.”
Qatar are well aware of Iran’s capabilities, with the last clash resulting in a 4-1 drubbing despite taking the lead in the first half. Team Melli — as Iran are known at home — capitalised on Qatar’s defensive lapses to put on a sound performance, in what many saw as redemption of the loss in the Asian Cup 2023 semifinals.
In that regard, Lopetegui could not have asked for a tougher start. The Spaniard, however, is confident of his side’s abilities and chances, the caveat being that his side executes his tactics well.
“We’re ready for this challenge and fully aware of its difficulty, but our goal is victory,” Lopetegui said.
On the flipside, Lopetegui has his share of constraints too.
Centre-back Lucas Mendes, who has been a regular of late, is not available for two matches. Instead, the ex-Spain boss has opted to introduce a few fresh faces into the team based on the recent league performances.
Al Duhail duo Bassam Al-Rawi and Karim Boudiaf, as well as Al Ahli’s Abdelrahman Mustafa, have returned to the squad. Al Shamal midfielder Mohammed Al-Mannai and Al Gharafa winger Amro Surag were rewarded for their stellar recent performances with the call-up.
Akram Afif, the talismanic forward, will be in charge of providing attacking firepower, as usual.
“We have a very balanced squad with players of different playing styles,” Lopetegui had said on May 25, after the FIFA Arab Cup draw. “We have to be able to work with them and fill the energy around the group ahead of all these matches.”
The team has also had less than two weeks to train under the new head coach, which should not be a problem, according to the Spaniard.
“I am not going to complain about the lack of preparation time. All we are focusing on is the match and giving our best,” he said.
Regardless, expectations on Lopetegui will be to impose noticeable changes in a squad that has seen two managers depart since the start of the third round of qualifiers. The team started with Bartolome Marquez Lopez, who was then replaced by his assistant, Luis Garcia, whose last game in charge of Al Annabi turned out to be a 3-1 loss against Kyrgyzstan away at Bishkek.
In an interview with FIFA+ earlier this week, Lopetegui had expressed positive feelings about making it to the World Cup through the fourth round, set to occur in October later this year. He echoed that sentiment but insisted on focusing on the next two matches.
Qatar will travel to Tashkent for their ultimate fixture against Uzbekistan, the second-placed side and favourites to secure direct qualification, following the Iran tie. For a start, that is a demanding set of matches, which Lopetegui said could be on Qatar’s side.
“Pressure is a part of football, and we have to enjoy such moments,” he added.
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