World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Mar 25, 2025 at 12am UK

Kyrgyzstan vs Qatar

Match preview

Kyrgyzstan were beaten 1-0 by Uzbekistan on 20 March, and although they managed just one shot on target, their hopes of victory were severely dented when Said Datsiev was sent off in the 24th minute.

The hosts have conceded 14 goals and scored just six in their seven group games so far, and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 10.

Coach Maksim Lisitsyn will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last meeting with Qatar, a 3-1 defeat on 10 October in which his side had 30 shots on goal and created five good chances but failed to create any of their own.

The White Falcons' form is worrying as they have lost six of their last seven matches and drawn the last two.

Kyrgyzstan's home record is mixed, with two defeats, one stalemate and two wins in their last five games at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.

Their opponents, Qatar, ran out 5-1 winners over North Korea on 20 March, taking a five-goal lead before conceding an 86th-minute consolation.

The visitors had failed to score more than once in their previous four games and have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Head coach Luis Garcia will be aware that defeat on Tuesday could end his side's hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup, with second-placed Uzbekistan six points clear, although a draw would all but guarantee their place in the next round of qualifying.

The Maroons go into the clash having won just one of their last five matches, losing twice and conceding 10 goals in the process.

Qatar are also winless in their last six away games, losing on three occasions.

Recent Performance

Kyrgyzstan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:LLWLLL

Qatar World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DWLWLW

Qatar form (all competitions):WLDLDW

Team News

Kyrgyzstan will be without wing-back Datsiev due to his red card, and his absence could see Christian Brauzman and Aleksandr Mishchenko flank centre-backs Eldiyar Zarypbekov, Tamirlan Kozubaev and Valeriy Kichin.

Midfielders Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov, Adilet Kanybekov and Erbol Atabaev could be deployed behind forwards Joel Kojo and Kai Merk.

As for Qatar, they are almost certain to name a similar starting XI to the one that beat North Korea, so expect goalkeeper Meshaal Aissa Barsham to be shielded by defenders Tarek Salman, Pedro Miguel and Lucas Mendes.

Ahmed Fathi and Mostafa Mashaal formed a double pivot last time out and are likely to retain their places behind forwards Akram Afif, Ahmed Al-Rawi and Ahmed Al Ganehi.

Possible starting lineup

Kyrgyzstan possible starting lineup:

Tokotaev; Zarypbekov, Kozubaev, Kichin; Brauzman, Abdurakhmanov, Kanybekov, Atabaev, Mishchenko; Kojo, Merk

Qatar possible starting lineup:

Barsham; Salman, Miguel, Mendes; Naji, Fathi, Mashaal, Ahmed; Afif; Al-Rawi, Al Ganehi