Qatar to wrap up preparations for Tuesday's Uzbekistan match
TASHKENT:
On Monday, the Qatari national football team will conclude its preparations for its upcoming match against host, Uzbekistan, at Bunyodkor Stadium on Tuesday, 4.45pm Doha time.
The match marks the 10th and final round of Group A in the third set of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Qatari team arrived in the Uzbek capital on Sunday evening and will hold their final training session at Bunyodkor Stadium on Monday, which is also when Head coach Julen Lopetegui will give the pre-match press conference.
Earlier on Sunday, the Qatari squad trained at Khalifa International Stadium, with the coaching staff focusing on physical preparation, as well as tactical and technical aspects of play.
Coach Lopetegui called up Nabil Erfan from Al Wakrah and Mohammed Ayash from Al Duhail to join the national team for the Uzbekistan match.
Although mostly a formality for the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar's head coach wants the Uzbekistan match to maintain Qatar's upward momentum and build on the morale boost from their 1-0 victory over group leaders, Iran, in the previous round, which was Iran's first loss in the current qualifiers.
Currently sitting 4th in the group with 13 points from four wins, Qatar have already secured a place in the Asian playoff round, along with the UAE.
Iran leads the group with 20 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 18, the UAE 14, Qatar 13, Kyrgyzstan 7, and North Korea 3.
Iran and Uzbekistan have already clinched the group's two direct qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 26.
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