Qatar players in action during a training session. (AFP)
Doha, Qatar: Julen Lopetegui has called on his players to embrace one final opportunity and fight for Qatar’s World Cup dream as Al Annabi meet Bosnia-Herzegovina in a must-win Group B clash in Seattle today.
For Qatar, the equation is straightforward as they must secure three points in their final game to keep their chances alive for a place in the knockout stage.
After collecting their first-ever FIFA World Cup point in an encouraging 1-1 draw against Switzerland, Qatar’s campaign suffered a major setback with a crushing 6-0 defeat to Canada. Yet with the expanded 48-team tournament offering places for the eight best third-placed sides in the Round of 32, their qualification chances exist.
A win over Bosnia would secure at least third place in Group B and keep alive hopes of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time in Qatar’s history.
“We achieved one big dream to be here,” Lopetegui said ahead of the crucial match which will kick off at 10pm, Qatar time.
“Now I think that we are working really well from this last month with many problems, but I think that we have a very good spirit to be able to be the most competitive possible.
“To go ahead is going to be very difficult, but we have the right to compete and to fight for this incredible goal, to achieve qualification.”
The Spaniard has spent the past few days trying to lift his squad after a painful afternoon against Canada, where Qatar’s hopes were derailed by a pair of red cards and a ruthless display from the co-hosts.
Homam Al Amin’s dismissal in the first half opened the door for Canada before Assim Madibo was also sent off later in the match, leaving Al Annabi badly exposed and ultimately condemned to their heaviest World Cup defeat.
Both Homam and Madibo will miss today’s clash through suspension, forcing Lopetegui into changes for a contest that has effectively become a knockout match.
The coach has been putting the finishing touches to his preparations in Seattle, focusing on restoring confidence while refining a game plan capable of overcoming a Bosnia side facing a similar situation.
“The message for the players is that they have to enjoy being competitive, to enjoy being in one strong group,” Lopetegui said.
“And now we have one last crucial match in the group against Bosnia. They are a big team too, so we are talking players that are playing in the top level in Europe.
“We have to try to compete and to be able at least to have this last dance, to be able to fight until the end.”
Sergej Barbarez’s Bosnia also arrive with one point from two matches after drawing 1-1 with Canada before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland.
“Of course, the loss against Swiss is too heavy. We’ve always said Switzerland are a good team. This isn’t over. We know which matches we’re playing, and that’s how we’ll prepare and try to beat Qatar. There’s no surrender,” said Barbarez.
Bosnia sit one place above Qatar only on goal difference and know that a draw is unlikely to be enough for either side, setting the stage for an encounter in which both teams must chase victory.
“It won’t be easy against Qatar. We’ll try to rest, prepare well, and attempt to win. The defeat against Swiss definitely hurts today because goal difference can also be decisive,” said Bosnia’s Edin Dzeko.
Bosnia’s squad features several players competing in Europe’s top leagues and their physical style, aerial strength and direct attacking approach will present a different challenge from the one Qatar faced against Canada.
However, they too have selection concerns as defender Tarik Muharemovic will miss the match after being sent off in the defeat to Switzerland.
While Bosnia may carry greater European pedigree, they have also shown defensive vulnerabilities during the tournament, conceding four goals against the Swiss after holding firm for more than an hour.
That offers encouragement for Qatar, who produced one of the standout moments of their campaign when they battled back to snatch a late draw against Switzerland in their opening match.
Despite not being able to make much of an impact in the first two matches, a lot will depend on Akram Afif, whose creativity and ability to unlock defences remains Qatar’s greatest attacking weapon.
There is also growing anticipation over whether Lopetegui will call upon striker Almoez Ali, who is yet to feature in the tournament but could provide an experienced attacking option as Qatar search for the goals required to keep their campaign alive.
The Spanish coach has also been studying Bosnia closely in recent days, seeking ways to exploit spaces while ensuring Qatar remain organised against an opponent equally desperate to avoid elimination.
Elsewhere in the group, Switzerland and Canada, both on four points, will meet simultaneously in Vancouver to decide top spot.
However, for Qatar, there is little value in looking elsewhere.
The focus is entirely on Seattle, where a first-ever World Cup victory would not only erase some of the pain of the Canada defeat but could also keep alive hopes of reaching the Round of 32 and extending a journey that appeared in danger of ending just a few days ago.
