Qatar take on Uzbekistan in crucial qualifying match

The Gulf Times March 1 After opening their qualifying campaign for the Asian Cup 2007 with convincing victories last week, both home team Qatar and Uzbekistan are taking a cautious approach ahead of their crucial Group F game this evening. The match kicks off at 8:00pm at the Sheikh Jassim Stadium, Al Sadd today. Last Wednesday, Qatar secured a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Hong Kong while Uzbekistan playing at home were even more impressive in their 5-0 thrashing of Bangladesh. Qatar, who qualified for the 2004 Asian Cup finishing runners-up to Kuwait in their group, would be required to show a lot of resolve against Uzbekistan if they are to qualify on top this time around. Although, Qatar's coach Dzemaludin Musovic maintains that his side boasts enough skills and courage to face any opposition, he feels they need to raise their concentration level, indicating at some of the lapses against Hong Kong. As he led his side out for evening drills at Al Sadd training ground, he made himself clear to the players that he does not want them to repeat it against Uzbekistan. "We were not focussing properly on the game at times and losing the ball away all too easily," he pointed out. "We can't afford to make such mistakes, especially when we are playing a strong side like Uzbekistan." Further compounding Musovic's worries are the absence of Sayed Bashir and the ill-health of Al Gharafa player Bilal Mohammed and Al Rayyan midfielder Waleed Jassim. Sayed Bashir has been suspended for the match following his sending off in the match against Hong Kong while Bilal and Waleed both caught flu on their return from Hong Kong. But Musovic is not expected to announce until today how he will revamp his side, but he dropped a hint that he would turning to some young players to fill in the gaps. And he hopes, with the local supporters throwing their weight behind the home side, Uzbekistan will crack under pressure. "Yes, it will take a lot of effort from everybody, including the fans," said Musovic. "I'd like to see them turning up in large numbers to cheer Qatar." His striker Hussein Yasser agrees. "Playing in front of the home crowd, we'll definitely be going for three points," he assured. But the former Manchester City player, who now plays for Al Sadd knows they will not have an easy time against the talented Uzbeks. "We are not going to underestimate this team," said Hussein, who scored the opening goal against Hong Kong. "Uzbekistan have some very good players. In all earnest, it would be a tough match." Uzbekistan hold a 1-0 edge over Qatar in three previous meetings. The Uzbeks defeated Qatar 2-1 during a preliminary competition for 2002 World Cup in 2001. The return leg of the same competition which was played in Doha and the other one at Asian Nations Cup 2000 both ended in draw. Uzbekistan, quarter-finalist at the last Asian Cup in 2004, are one of the most prolific goal-scoring teams. They trounced Bangladesh 5-0 with Alexander Geynrikh and Maxim Shatskikh each scoring twice in Tashkent last Wednesday. "It is a very important game for both teams and interesting one too, as it will determine who will top this group," said Uzbekistan coach Valeri Nepomniatchi, who arrived here with his team yesterday. Uzbekistan will have to play without their influential playmaker Server Djeparov, who has been suspended for this match. Other factors that Qatar camp can take comfort are that coach Nepomniatchi has been with the team for just over a month and their lack of match practice. But Uzbekistan's resources run deep and Nepomniatchi is also coaching club side Pakhtakor, the club where as many as 11 of his 23 players ply their trade. "They are professional players and have been playing together for quite long. So they know how to tackle most adverse situations," said Nepomniatchi, who famously guided Cameroon all the way to the quarter-finals of 1990 World Cup. The two teams meet again in Tashken on November 15 on their return leg. Before that Uzbekistan entertain Hong Kong on August 16 as Qatar play away to Bangladesh.