Asian Cup 2023 Match Preview: Qatar x Tajikistan
Al-Khor: In a pivotal Group A clash of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Qatar will face Tajikistan on Wednesday at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor, looking to take a big step towards progression to the next round.
After a 3-0 victory against Lebanon in the tournament opener, Al-Annabi extended their winning streak in Asian Cup matches to eight, dating back to their historic 2019 title triumph in the UAE. A win against Tajikistan could potentially secure Qatar’s spot in the Round of 16 with a match to spare, provided the China-Lebanon game ends in a draw.
Al Bayt Stadium, though marred by Qatar’s disappointing 2022 World Cup opener against Ecuador, has also seen the team win three games out of three at the 2021 Arab Cup, where Qatar triumphed over Bahrain, Iraq, and the UAE. As coach Marquez aims to erase the haunting memories of the World Cup, the team seeks to recreate the success witnessed on this very turf.
Quotes from Tintin Marquez:
“We’re going to enter this match in order to achieve a victory. Tajikistan is a difficult opponent, but we have studied them, and we know that they have speedy players who can hurt us. Our objective is clear – we want to lead, secure the second round, and that hasn’t changed.”
“We have to use all the tools we have to score as early as possible, but the most important thing is to be prepared and ready for the match. Of course, we think about the games to come in the next round, but we have to focus first on the next game.”
Absentees:
Homam Al Amin will miss the game due to a sprained ankle, after being forced to leave the field against Lebanon in the second half, having only come on as a substitute minutes earlier.
Qatar’s Lineup Options:
Meshaal Barsham will continue in goal for sure, he’s been an assuring presence between the sticks, cementing his place as Qatar’s No 1.
It’s in the rest of the backline that coach Marquez faces decisions in, after a taking a surprising gamble in the opener, pairing his duo of Almahdi Ali and Lucas Mendes from Al Wakrah as center-backs, who were untested together at the national level. He left the experienced and Asian Cup winning players Khoukhi Boualem, Bassam Al Rawi, and Tarek Salman as unused substitutes.
Despite the risk, Qatar secured a clean sheet, but it was not smooth sailing throughout the 90 minutes. Many questions arise: Why did Marquez take this gamble? Was it to convey a message to the experienced players that their spots are not guaranteed? Did he identify an issue in the trio, or was it a combination of testing the squad’s depth and aiming to surprise Lebanon?
Tajikistan’s attack could be faster than Lebanon in transitions, and going for Bassam Al Rawi rather than Almahdi Ali could be a good call for this game.
With Homam now ruled out for Tajikistan, the defensive lineup remains uncertain. Mohammed Waad may continue as LB in a four-man backline or as a wing-back in a three-man option, while Pedro is a confirmed starter on the right.
It will be intriguing to see how Marquez shapes his defence for this game.
In midfield, the combination of Ahmed Fathy and Abdulaziz Hatem may see adjustments, with young Moustafa Meshaal a potential starter. An alternative or supplementary move might be to put Khoukhi Boualem in the middle, considering the absence of a proper and experienced defensive midfielder in the squad.
Captain Hassan Al-Haydos was in the spotlight during the opening ceremony, passing the mic to Palestine’s captain Musab Al Battat for the athlete’s oath. However, during the actual game against Lebanon, his impact was minimal, suggesting that, at 33, his time might almost be up.
The question arises: Who is the optimal replacement for Al-Haydos? Ali Asad, ideal for the playmaker role, was absent from the matchday list against Lebanon due to apparent unfitness. If ready, he could be a secure choice.
Another contender is the talented Khalid Muneer, who has impressed under Marquez at Al Wakrah. Considering Marquez’s inclination to provide playing time to his club players, his inclusion is a possibility. In any case, the decision to bench the captain is also a bold step. Will Marquez do it?
Upfront, there seems to be little to decide. Yousuf Abdurisag was also a surprise starter against Lebanon, but he put in a good shift and although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he played a role in creating the first goal. He could start again in attack, alongside the superstar duo of Akram Afif and Almoez Ali.
A look at Tajikistan
Tajik football has improved and grown in prominence in Asian football over the past decade, with the country’s main club Istiklol now regularly playing in the AFC Champions League, where they drew 0-0 with Qatar’s Al-Duhail in the last edition. Istiklol have 10 players in the Tajik squad for the 2023 Asian Cup.
After showing promise in a goalless draw against China in their opening game, Tajikistan will surely enter Al-Bayt Stadium looking to create an even bigger impact in their first-ever Asian Cup. Coach Petar Segrt promised that his side would not stick to a defensive approach against against Qatar, while recognising their strength.
“We respect Qatar as champions and great hosts, but for at least 90 minutes tomorrow, we must put that aside,” he said. “We will try to achieve a good result and make a good impression.”
“It’s not the character of the Tajikistan people to play defensive. So we will try to play our football but must also respect that Qatar are stronger than China, and they will also have their supporters behind them.”
Segrt also gave us an insight into his players’ mindset: “Before we went into the first game, the players were thinking that they are happy to be here but after the performance we showed, they are now starting to think that they have a chance.
“We had dreams two years ago to come to the Asian Cup, now we have a new dream, now we want to have the first goal in the Asian Cup.”
Head to Head:
Tajikistan won 2-1 over Qatar the last time the two sides met, in a friendly back in 2012. The only official competitive game they have played was at the 1998 Asian Games, where Qatar won 2-1.
