‘The match against China is a very important game for us. If we win, we will be strong favourites to secure third place in the group and qualify for the intercontinental play-offs’

Qatar midfielder Karim Boudiaf headed in the winning goal against 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts Russia in a 2-1 international friendly win in Doha last week, but is targeting even greater things this week.
The scorer of the only goal in his country’s previous FIFA World Cup qualifier win against China, Boudiaf says he is aiming for another decisive performance in the must-win third round 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier in China’s Kunming Province today.
“The match against China is a very important game for us,” said Boudiaf in an interview with www.sc.qa ahead of the game in China. “If we win, we will be strong favourites to secure third place in the group and qualify for the intercontinental play-offs.
“We are eager to qualify for Russia and gain experience before we take the field in front of home fans in 2022 and the China game will be the first step. I am looking forward to scoring again against the Chinese, this time in their home.
“There will of course be the added incentive for us, Lekhwiya boys, to settle scores against Lippi for our 2013 defeat.”
Boudiaf scored the only goal of Qatar’s 1-0 win in the second round qualification match for Russia 2018 in Doha in October 2015 – but the Lekhwiya box-to-box man was on the receiving end of a 4-1 home defeat meted out by Lippi’s all-conquering Guangzhou Evergrande in the AFC Champions League quarter-final of 2013.       
However, Boudiaf realises the mission to secure three points is not an easy one. “Lippi is a great coach and he will have a different strategy for China for sure,” he added. “So beating them will be tough and would be a fabulous result for us.”
With Jorge Fossati’s side and their opponents both needing the win in a crucial Group A match, Boudiaf says both teams are likely to go for broke in a mouth-watering contest. However, he emphasised the value of a defensively solid first half. “China are desperate to win at home and will push us in the first 45 minutes,” he said. “So we need to be solid in defence and counter-attack and use the set-pieces really well.”
Boudiaf and his teammates know their aerial threat can cause their hosts problem, and his prowess in set-pieces is well known to China, with the 26-year-old nodding in the winner off a Hassan al-Haydos delivery in October last year in Doha.
“It was a free-kick from the right and Haydos sent in a great ball. It hit a Chinese defender who was in front of me and I instinctively stuck my head out despite being unsighted. The ball was in the back of the net,” reminisced Boudiaf, who was also on target in Hong Kong, China’s derby rivals, in the second round qualifier for Russia.  
“China also have very skilful players so we need to get the balance right between attack and defence, especially in the second half. Wu Lei, who scored against us in March in China, will be a real danger – he is quick and intelligent.”  
With 2018 qualification an important mission ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at home, Boudiaf said he is looking ahead to be part of the historic tournament on home soil.
 “I have 2022 as my long-term target,” he said. “I am hoping to steer clear of serious injuries in the years ahead. I am also aware that I will face stiff internal competition from younger players such as Ahmed Moein and Assim Madibo but I take this in a positive way. It will help me improve my standards.”
The Lekhwiya man, who counts former England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as one of his favourite players, ended by talking his own personal goals, and his long-term ambition is to be as good as Asia’s best midfielder – South Korean captain Ki Sung-yeung, who plies his trade with Swansea City in the English Premier League.
“Ki is a seasoned box-to-box midfielder and has an unbelievable work rate and stamina for both club and country. He is equally at ease tackling and setting up goals and is great at set-pieces. I hope that by the end of the 2018 qualifiers my name would feature along with his as Asia’s best box-to-box midfielders.”