Following a month-long intensive preparation stint, coach Jose Daniel Carreno feels his side is fully geared up to take on Iran in the opening match of the third round of the Asian Zone of the 2018 FIFA World Cup next Thursday.
“We had sufficient time to plan and prepare for the games in September. The players were on a break and now they are back. We had one month to prepare for the match against Iran’’.
“I am now focusing on the 2018 third round qualifiers,” said the Uruguayan, who is leading Al Anabi through an impressive World Cup qualification campaign so far.
“Every third round qualifier is a tough assignment and we start our campaign against Iran, who did very well in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It would be important to qualify for Russia – it will pivotal before the country hosts the 2022 World Cup, we have a great deal of respect for Iran, but we do not fear them.”
“The players are aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting them, my job is to set up this group of players to be ready to any scenario, we will go to Iran with our sights on all three points, however, it is impossible to predict what might happen on gameday.”
On August 8, Qatar took on Iraq in Doha before playing Spanish side Real Betis on August 13 in Zurich.
Qatar faced Jordan on August 18 in Zurich followed by an friendly against Thailand on August 24 in Doha, in which they signalled good form following a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Qatar fly out to Tehran today. On September 6, Qatar face Uzbekistan in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying game at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.