Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Having played out a 1-1 draw against Iran in their first match at the AFC U-23 Cup currently taking place in Uzbekistan; Qatar will be determined to beat hosts Uzbekistan to propel their points tally to four points and inch closer to a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
Qatar will face hosts Uzbekistan in their second match at the Pakhtakor Central Stadium tomorrow. The home team leads the group after a 1-0 victory against Turkmenistan in their first match on Wednesday.
Head coach Nicolas Cordova wasn’t overly concerned with his team’s inability to match their opponents physically against Iran on Wednesday but will remind his players that they can’t afford to squander opportunities against an Uzbekistan side which is expected to enjoy zealous support from the home fans at the home of the country’s most successful club.
‘They (Uzbekistan) managed to win their first match against a decent Turkmenistan side. They’ve the quality and are physically strong. We need to be at our best to get a good result. Hopefully, we can get the points we need to improve our standing before the group’s final round,” Qatar coach Cordova said at the training session preceding the match.
He added that Qatar’s performance against Uzbekistan will make all the difference in the group.
“”It was obvious that Iran were physically solid, and the result was us losing duels and tackles. But there are other ways and means to compensate for it, like good organization in closing the spaces, how we work as a team and through set-pieces. It was good to overcome our physical deficit. Against Uzbekistan, this is the game that will make the difference, so we have to stay focused and avoid mistakes,” he said.
“Every single detail can make a difference.” The Chilean said. Qatar will be aiming to get their campaign back on track, having been denied by Iran, which equalized in the final minute of regulation time.
Despite limited possession, Nicolas Cordova’s side showed that they could still make the most of their chances. The Chilean firmly believes his players will get better as the tournament progresses.
Qatar will be aiming to get their campaign back on track, having been denied by Iran, which equalized in the final minute of regulation time.
Source: Qatar Football Association