Qatar gear up for FIFA Arab Cup with Zimbabwe friendly

Doha, Qatar: Qatar will take on Zimbabwe in a friendly match today at Doha s Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium as they prepare for next month s FIFA Arab C...

Doha, Qatar: Qatar will take on Zimbabwe in a friendly match today at Doha’s Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium as they prepare for next month’s FIFA Arab Cup.

This will be the first time the Asian champions are back in action following their historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup in October, after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in a decisive Asian qualifier at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui is focused on readying Al Annabi for the Arab Cup, scheduled from December 1 to 18 in Qatar, while also keeping an eye on preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Lopetegui, who recently announced the 26-player squad, has rested several key players including star forward Akram Afif; defenders Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf, and Pedro Miguel; winger Edmilson Junior; and midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem. Striker Almoez Ali, who underwent successful leg surgery in London earlier this week, was also absent.

Experienced players such as Tarek Salman, Mohammed Waad and Asim Madibo are included, giving Lopetegui’s team a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents from across the Qatar Stars League. However, the squad saw a change yesterday, with Yusuf Abdurisag called up following injuries to Ahmed Al Rawi and Ahmed Al Janehi during a training camp, the Qatar Football Association announced.