World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Nov 19, 2024 at 12am UK

UAEvs.Qatar

Match preview

The hosts beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 on Thursday, despite creating just one big chance. It's worth noting that they were also able to prevent Kyrgyzstan from creating any of their own.

The UAE are currently in one of two spots that would take them to the fourth stage of World Cup qualifying, which would be their second-last chance to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.

Boss Paulo Bento has been in charge of the Sons of Zayed since July 2023. His side have scored seven goals and conceded four times in their five group games. This makes them the joint sixth-best offensive and joint fifth-best defensive team of the 18 nations left in the AFC World Cup qualifiers.

Bento's team were victorious against Kyrgyzstan, but that was their first win in their last four games. However, it's worth noting that they did win four of the previous five matches.

While the UAE have only won once in their last four home games, they've been pretty impressive on their own turf. They've won eight of their last 12 games at Al Nahyan Stadium, losing just twice in that period.

Qatar were the better team in the first half of their match against Uzbekistan, taking a 2-0 lead by half-time. However, they only managed to win the game thanks to Lucas Mendes's late goal in the second half.

Manager Tintin Marquez will be concerned that his team have already conceded 12 goals in just five group matches. That makes them the second-worst defensive nation in the AFC World Cup qualifiers.

On the bright side, his team found a way to overcome Uzbekistan.

Marquez was positive after Qatar's win and focused on the good things his players did, saying: "It was really important for us to get these three points. "We controlled the game and made the most of our chances."

The Maroons are in mixed overall form having won three, lost two and drawn two of their seven most recent games, conceding 13 and netting 12 in that time, but they did prevail in the previous nine.

The visitors have been difficult to defeat on rival turf, and while the away side lost 4-1 against Iran on October 15 in their last fixture on the road, that was their only loss in their last eight away matches, with the nation winning five and drawing two of those fixtures.

Recent Performance

United Arab Emirates World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DWLDLW

Qatar World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WLDWLW

Team News

It looks like the UAE might have to make some changes to the starting XI that played against Kyrgyzstan. Right-back Zayed Sultan and centre-back Khalifa Al-Hammadi were substituted because of injuries, so they might have to make some adjustments.

Kouame Autonne Kouadio could be the one to replace Al Hammadi, while Khaled Aldhanhani might come in for Sultan.

It looks like Mackenzie Hunt and Yahia Nader will be starting in a double pivot behind a forward line of Fabio Lima, Harib Suhail, Yahya Alghassani and Caio Canedo.

Meanwhile, Qatar came through their game against Uzbekistan without any injuries, so it looks like they'll be able to name a similar starting XI. Expect strikers Ahmed Al Ganehi and Almoez Ali to be supported by attacking midfielder Akram Afif.

The visitors might play with a back three, and centre-backs Tarek Salman, Boualem Khoukhi and Lucas Mendes are likely to be in the defence.

Ibrahim Al-Hassan and Ahmed Fathy were picked to start in a double pivot, and it looks like they'll do the same on Tuesday.

Possible starting lineup

United Arab Emirates possible starting lineup:

Eisa; Aldhanhani, Kouadio, Al Attas, Meloni; Hunt, Nader; Lima, Suhail, Alghassani; Canedo

Qatar possible starting lineup:

Barsham; Salman, Khoukhi, Mendes; Al-Rawi, Al-Hassan, Fathy, Waad; Afif; Al Ganehi, Ali