Qatar set for a strong opening against UAE

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December 20, 2024
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20-December-2024

Qatar set for a strong opening against UAE

Kuwait: The Qatari national football team will face the UAE tomorrow, Saturday, at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, marking the beginning of their campaign in Group A of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait, runs until January 3. 

Team Qatar’s team aims to make a statement in their Gulf 26 opener, setting the stage for a potential advance to the semifinals. The group also includes hosts Kuwait and Oman, who clash later the same day at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium after the opening ceremony. 

Having arrived in Kuwait on Thursday evening following an intensive training camp in Doha that started on December 12, the team is under the leadership of their new head coach, Luis Garcia. Garcia recently took over from his fellow Spaniard, Marquez Lopez, bringing fresh energy to the squad. 

Coach Garcia has named a 26-player squad for the tournament. The goalkeeping trio comprises Marwan Sharif (Al-Ahli), Meshaal Barsham (Al-Sadd), and Salah Zakaria (Al-Duhail). The outfield players include Ahmed Al-Rawi (Al-Rayyan); Sultan Al-Brek, Almoez Ali, Abdullah Al-Ahrak, Homam Al-Amin, and Mubarak Shannan (Al-Duhail); Ibrahim Al-Hassan and Mohammed Khalid (Calahorra, Spain); Abdulrahman Mustafa and Baha Lythy (Al-Ahli); Lucas Mendes and Abdulaziz Khalid (Al-Wakrah); Akram Afif, Youssef Abdulrazzaq, Tarek Salman, and Mustafa Tariq (Al-Sadd); Ahmed Fathi and Jassem Jaber (Al-Arabi); Rabah Boussafi, Asim Madibo, Abdullah Youssef, and Mohammed Muntari (Al-Gharafa); and Al-Hashemi Al-Hussein (Alcorcon, Spain).  

The team will hold their final training session today at Kazma Club Stadium in Kuwait, refining their strategy for the opening match. Garcia is expected to finalize the starting lineup and tactical approach during this session. He will also address the media at a press conference later today to share insights about the team’s readiness and objectives.

 As the reigning Asian champions from 2019 and 2023, Qatar is determined to bounce back from recent setbacks in the World Cup qualifiers, where they managed just two wins and a draw from six matches. These results placed them fourth in Group A with seven points, trailing the UAE by three points, Uzbekistan by six, and group leaders Iran by nine. 

With their direct World Cup qualification hopes compromised, Qatar faces a challenging path via the fourth qualification stage and potential playoffs. This scenario prompted a change in leadership, with Marquez Lopez stepping aside after guiding the team to the 2023 Asian Cup title. Garcia has now been tasked with reinvigorating the squad and restoring their competitive edge.