Qatar coach Fahad Thani talks to his players during a team training session at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul yesterday. Qatar take on hosts Korea in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match today. The Group A, Asian Zone, match kicks-off at 2:00pm Qatar time. BELOW, RIGHT: Coach Fahad has a chat with Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani at the same venue in Seoul.
SEOUL, Korea: Qatar today will be eyeing a rare win against hosts Korea when the two Asian teams clash in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game.
A victorious Qatar can go top of Group A and ‘Al Anabi’ coach Fahad Thani is well aware of the possibilities that could boost their progress as this stage.
“We are all aware of the importance of this game,” Fahad said in a press conference yesterday.
“There is a possibility for us to qualify for the World Cup and for that we will do our utmost to get a result. I am satisfied with our preparations for this game,” he said.
“It will be a very hard game,” said the coach ahead of his sixth game in charge of Qatar.
Fahad said he was not underestimating the home team struggling with injuries and suspensions going into today’s clash.
“The status of Korea Republic’s football is high as is the standard of the football, not just in Asia but in the world,” Fahd said of the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists.
“But we will play without regard to that reputation and do our best for the win.
“I am confident we can do it,” he added.
Today’s clash against Korea will be Qatar’s first World Cup qualifying fixture since their 1-0 win over Lebanon in Doha on November 14.
Qatar have seven points from five matches with two wins.
In Group A, Uzbekistan lead the pack with eight points whereas Korea, Iran and Qatar are tied at 7 points. Korea have played one game less. Lebanon are at the bottom of the group with 4 points from 5 matches.
Qatar landed in the Korean capital Seoul on the back of a defeat by Bahrain on Friday when the two Gulf states battled in a 2015 Asian Cup qualifying game.
On Sunday, the Qatari squad was greeted by chilly weather as temperatures in the Korean capital showed 5 degree Celsius.
‘Al Anabi’ later trained in the evening ahead of their Group A, Asian Zone clash to be played at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Temperatures are expected to hover around the 8-degree mark today.
In the rival camp, coach Choi Kang-hee is aiming to put Korea’s stuttering qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup back on track in today’s clash.
After starting Group A in the final round in the AFC zone of qualification with two wins, the 2002 semi-finalists have picked up just one point from the last two games and currently sit in second place, a point behind leaders Uzbekistan and ahead of Iran and Qatar only on goal difference.
“This game is one we have to win,” said Choi at a press conference yesterday.
“If we can get the three points then that puts us in a good position for the rest of the qualification campaign. I am confident that we can put on a good performance.”
Korea defeated Qatar 4-1 in Doha in the away fixture in June 2012 and a similar result would be most welcome for the hosts.
“We know that this is going to be a tough game but we have been working hard in training and are fully focused on this game and we know what’s at stake,” added Choi.
There have been injuries for Choi to contend with. Midfielder Kim Doo-hyun, full-back Kim Chang-soo and reserve goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang have pulled out through injury to be replaced by Pohang’s Hwang Ji-soo, Choi Chul-soon of Sangju and FC Seoul goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae.
There was some good news for the home team, however. Captain Kwak Tae-hwi picked up a thigh injury in training last week but has recovered more quickly than expected and is fit to start in central defence.
“The players are in very good condition and we are hoping we can get on top early on and if we can settle than we have the players with ability in attack,” said Choi.
The match starts at 2pm Qatar time. THE PENINSULA
