Qatar will go into their second Group B match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 with the hope of gaining a crucial victory against Iran when the two teams meet today at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Qatar head into the game having suffered a painful loss to Korea in their opening match, but with two rounds still to go, the Maroons still harbour hopes of advancing to the next phase.
It is do-or-die for Qatar, who know that anything other than a win will likely see them eliminated from a competition they won in 1990.
Head coach Ibrahim Mohamud Shafie had declared prior to their first match against South Korea that the aim was to go all the way again, but a 6-1 humbling at the Pathum Thani Stadium has left them with a mountain to climb.
However, the 54-year-old insisted that his side are more than capable of bouncing back to revive their knockout round hopes. “Although they may be feeling a bit down, I have full trust in them and believe they have the ability to make a comeback,” Shafie said.
“The boys are understandably upset, but their behaviour after the game shows that there are positive aspects to take away from this match, and I'm confident they will bounce back. The dressing room is filled with a positive mental attitude, and I have complete faith in my players to achieve success against Iran.”
