Rival Watch: India face Qatar in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The two teams' previous encounter in September 2019 ended in a goalless draw.

After a disappointing pair of International Friendlies in late March, the Blue Tigers return to action in June. In their first FIFA World Cup Qualifiers since 2019, India travel to face a daunting Qatar side on June 3.

A lot has happened since Igor Stimac’s Indian football team produced an amazing goalless draw in Qatar’s backyard on September 2019. The Crimsons, for one, have only gotten better. They’re now ranked 58th in the FIFA World Rankings – and fifth among Asian nations.

Felix Sanchez’s side haven’t lost their ruthlessness in the COVID-19 enforced break, having produced more players with potential. So, when they face India, a dish of cold revenge will be on their minds as Qatar aim to take a step closer to winning their group.

Recent Performances

So far in 2021, Qatar have only played three games. All of them were International Friendlies back in March. The Crimsons managed narrow wins over Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in both friendlies held in Hungary.

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Their most impressive result was against the Republic of Ireland. Qatar played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the European side that boasted multiple Premier League stars.

About the Team

The Qatar football team have been a major force among Asian football nations for many years now. Their impressive development plan since 2010 – when they were ranked 113th in the FIFA World Rankings – has been inspirational. They’re now in the top-60 and are also ready to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Crimsons won the AFC Asian Cup – their first-ever – in 2019. They have won the Arabian Gulf Cup as well, thrice. Qatar also won the WAFF Championship in 2014 and the gold medal at the 2006 Asian Games.

The Coach

A Catalan by birth, Felix Sanchez began his career as a youth coach at Barcelona’s famous ‘La Masia’ academy. He worked there for a decade before joining Qatar’s Aspire Academy. He was one of the pioneers that turned the academy into one of the best in the world.

In 2013, he was appointed the coach of the Qatar U-19 team. The very next year, he helped them win the AFC U-19 Championship. In 2017, he was promoted as the U-23s manager. After his consistently impressive work with the youth teams, the Qatar FA made him the national team coach later that year.

He’s since overseen a rapid improvement at the Crimsons. Sanchez’s clever tactics and well thought-out philosophy has been ingrained in the national team perfectly.

In 54 matches managed as Qatar coach, he’s won 29 and maintained a 53.7% win rate. He helped them win the AFC Asian Cup in dominant fashion in 2019 and has kept improving them since.

Sanchez’s side can now tussle with European or South American sides. His ability to spot the biggest talents and clever man-management have helped Qatar soar under. But, he’s still obsessed with helping them improve even further to have a fighting chance of impressing at the World Cup next year.

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Players To Watch

Almoez Ali

Almoez Ali is definitely one of the best talents to come out from the Aspire Academy since its inception. He’s come a long way since finishing the AFC Asian Cup 2019 as its top scorer with nine goals.

The menacing forward can now operate in a variety of roles and can create many chances himself. Ali scored and assisted seven times each in 30 appearances for Al-Duhail last season. In the AFC Champions League group stages, he made three assists in six appearances. His performances on the pitch can be devastating.

Ali’s astonishing pace and dribbling ability can be a nightmare to defend against. He has an eye for goal and can slot cleverly into free spaces. India’s defenders have to be at their sharpest and maintain utmost concentration to keep the menacing forward at bay.

Mohammed Muntari

Mohammed Muntari has been one of the in-form stars for the Crimsons in recent times. In their recent International Friendlies, Muntari scored two goals in three matches. That included a brilliant goal against Ireland in their 1-1 draw.

The Al-Duhail star boasts an impressive chemistry with Ali and can stir up a real storm upfront. With his smart movement, link-up play and towering frame, he loves to bully defenders in the final third. Muntari doesn’t need many chances to score, with his excellent finishing ability helping him thrive for Qatar.

The 27-year-old has enough experience to help the Crimsons break down the meanest defence. With his intelligent operation in the final third, Muntari should cause India plenty of problems and be a handful for Sandesh Jhingan and Co.

Hasan Al-Haydos

Qatar’s captain earns his reputation for leading from the front in attack. A hard-working midfielder with lots of technical quality, Hasan Al-Haydos is Qatar’s creative engine. He enjoyed a great season with Al-Sadd – scoring twice along with registering nine assists in 18 league games.

His impressive work helped Xavi Hernandez’s side clinch the 2020-21 Qatar Stars League title in compelling fashion. For the national team, Al-Haydos remains an inspirational figure. He scored both their goals in the 2-1 win over Azerbaijan in March.

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With his incredible passing ability and tendency to create chances out of nothing thanks to his defence-splitting through-balls, he can be a handful to play against. Al-Haydos poses a major threat from set-pieces and can sneak into goalscoring areas. If India are able to neutralize Al-Haydos from supplying chances in attack, they could have a chance of pulling off a result against Qatar.

What to expect

After the surprise result last time around, Qatar will play with added motivation against India. They’ll be determined to prove that the draw was a fluke and would throw the kitchen sink at India. Because of the Crimsons’ quality – in style and players alike – that could spell disaster for Stimac’s side.

Due to the lack of preparation and poor form, the Indian football team will need a miracle to get a result from this one. From a realistic standpoint, Qatar should exact their revenge in compelling fashion. They’re likely to dominate the Blue Tigers and pick up another big win in the World Cup Qualifiers.

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