Action during Qatar’s match against Iran on Monday.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar enter their final Group B match today against Afghanistan requiring both a win and a favour from leaders Korea Republic if they are to progress to the next stage in Bangkok.
The West Asians claimed their first point of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 with a resolute 0-0 draw against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.
It means that Qatar need victory as well as for the Koreans to trump Iran - both by a sufficient combined margin - in order to overcome a 10-goal swing in goal difference to pip the Iranians to second spot.
While Ibrahim Al Shafie is aware of the circumstances, he stressed that all his charges can do is to give their all and not worry about anything else as they prepare to meet the Afghans for the first time in the history of the competition.
“Maybe we will score one goal, maybe seven; we don’t know but the boys will fight like they did against Iran,” he said.
“I can tell you this: the squad that you have been seeing has a lot more to offer. We still have a chance to qualify and we will prepare for that.
“Football is all about putting in effort and getting the results. We will go in with full energy with the intention of winning the match. Besides that, the result (of the other game) is not in our hands.”
Their opponents have found the going tough in their second U17 Asian Cup appearance, after their debut in the previous edition in 2018.
