FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers Rival Watch: Qatar

The reinging Asian champions will be the toughest challenge for the Blue Tigers in the second round of the qualifiers.

While India’s FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers campaign started on a very bittersweet note thanks to the crushing 1-2 loss to Oman, a bigger test awaits them. Qatar, probably the strongest team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stand in their way in the second match, taking place in Doha on Tuesday. Felix Sanchez Bas' side are unplayable on their day, with their fantastic new generation putting oppositions to the sword.

Watch: Qatar Vs India tactical preview

Recent Performance

Following their gritty display in the Copa America 2019 earlier this year after winning the AFC Asian Cup in January, the Maroons have regained their champions form at the right moment. They defeated Afghanistan 6-0 in their opening 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, absolutely blowing them away with a brand of exquisite, relentless attacking football. Star striker Almoez Ali scored a hattrick and they scored four goals in the first half itself to show impending storm at bay for the Blue Tigers.

About The Team

The Maroons are the reigning Asian champions

Qatar have probably been the fastest rising side in Asian Football since the turn of the century, much thanks to the world-class Aspire Academy which has produced much of their current crop. The Maroons won their first-ever AFC Asian Cup earlier this year after having progressed into the quarter-finals in the 2000 and 2011 editions.

Moreover, they are also the hosts for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which will also incidentally be their debut in the reputed competition. Apart from this, they’ve won the Gulf Cup three times as well as the WAFF Championship once in 2014.

The Coach

Bas has revolutionized the sport in the Arabian country

Felix Sanchez Bas has probably revolutionized Qatar football for the better since signing on as their senior team head coach in 2017. Before then, he had worked as a coach of Barcelona's well-acclaimed La Masia academy for nearly a decade and had a role in all the world-class talents which came through their system in those years.

He initially joined up as the Aspire Academy’s coach in 2006, shaping the current generation of Qatari stars with his vision and experience. After coaching The Maroons youth teams for many years, he was given the keys to the senior team in 2017. Since then, he’s helped them win the AFC Asian Cup and climb the FIFA Rankings ladder exponentially.

Moreover, he’s also implemented a stunning quick-passing attacking which sees his players moving all around the opponents' area in the hunt for goals. By playing different formations for different scenarios, he’s made Qatar a terror to face. Not only is his stylish tactics effectively, but he’s also increased the work-rate of the Maroons players into maintaining their relentless work-rate throughout the entirety of games.

Players To Watch

Almoez Ali

Ali scored nine goals during the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year

Almoez Ali rose as perhaps the most lethal strikers in the Asian continent during the AFC Asian Cup in January. He scored nine goals in the tournament, not only winning the Golden Boot but also breaking Ali Daei’s record for most goals in a single tournament. The youngster hasn’t lost his touch at all as he tore apart Afghanistan’s defence with a stunning hat-trick. Be it scruffy finishes, lethal strikes or powerful headers, he has it all in his arsenal. It’s needless to say he’d be a nightmare for the Indian defence, causing all sorts of problems with his unpredictability.

Akram Afif

Probably the most volatile character in behind Almoez, Akram Afif is an absolute livewire in the front-line. He moves around all the place in the final third, having the flexibility to move into the wings and also drift into the middle to cause all sorts of problems. Not only is he extremely quick going forward, but his creativity and terrific chemistry with his young team-mates help the Maroons play some beautiful football. Afif is not the easiest man to keep a lid on, as his fiery attitude makes him an absolute menace for defenders.

Abdelkarim Hassan

Hassan will be a grim challenge for Udanta Singh in the flanks

Abdelkarim Hassan is not your ordinary left-back, acting as an auxiliary figure to traumatize oppositions going forward. There’s little doubting his defensive solidity, as he’s quick to react to moves and puts in crucial challenges to keep his side clean. It’s his booming nature going forward which makes him an extra trump-card for Sanchez’s side.

Not only is Hassan comfortable in staying wide and flinging in looping crosses, but he also has the tendency to drift inwards to act as an extra attacker. With a bullet left-foot capable of producing screamers, he’ll definitely be a test for Gurpreet Singh Sandhu as well as Udanta Singh.

What To Expect

To be honest, this is not going to be a pretty game for the Blue Tigers. Qatar are absolutely unrelenting and seem focused on winning the group as soon as possible for their own AFC Asian Cup 2023 qualification. With their devastating attacking strength, things could get real ugly unless India operate as a solid unit. They’ll keep on attacking for more and more goals, so it could be a long night for Igor Stimac’s men.