Qatar FC remains to be positive that they could maintain and secure the top spot of the group standing with a win over Tajikistan FC. In their campaign in the Asian Cup, these two teams actually have different openers. Qatar were able to open their Asian Cup strong with a win against Lebanon, ending in a 3-0 opener. However, Qatar still needs to win here, for them to sustain and secure a top spot finish in the contest. Meanwhile, Tajikistan is winless in the contest, as they started their campaign with a goalless draw against China. With that, Tajikistan are aiming to finally score a win here, for them to make it to the second spot. The meeting between these two teams is on January 17, 2024, at 10:30 PM (GMT+8).
Qatar FC
Qatar’s aggressive and aggressive approach from the start of the match was rewarded with a victory, scoring three or more goals in a game for the fourth time in their last five fixtures. The Maroons, who have not lost a group stage encounter at this tournament since 2015, have won their last four Asian Cup group matches by a combined score of 13-0. Since Tintin Marquez replaced Carlos Queiroz in December, the team has been sharp in the attack and resolute on the back end, conceding in only one of his matches. Qatar has captured three of their four encounters all-time versus Tajikistan and has never been held scoreless against them. Last week, they defeated Lebanon 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium, showcasing their title defense.
Qatari players Al-Mahdi Ali Mukhtar and Yusuf Abdurisag replaced Homam Ahmed and Mostafa Meshaal in their match against Jordan. Ro-Ro is still 10 caps shy of 100, while Boualem Khoukhi is 113. Akram Afif scored a brace in Lebanon, while Almoez Ali scored his 51st goal.
Tajikistan FC
Tajikistan’s young team, led by aggressive coach Petar Segrt, managed to secure a draw against China in the Asian Cup. This extends their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions. The draw was the first time Tajikistan had failed to score in a match since March 2023, with the Crowns scoring 13 times in their five previous encounters. Despite this, Tajikistan has shown a sharper defensive unit in recent matches, conceding a goal or fewer in six successive fixtures. The team has not lost to a Asian side since June 2023 and has not been held off the scoresheet in consecutive matches since November 2022 and March 2023. It has been over a decade since they last faced Qatar on the international stage, with Tajikistan’s first-ever triumph against them in a 2012 friendly.
Segrt made three changes to his starting 11 lineup, replacing Khasanov, Umarbayev, and Dzhuraboyev. Ehson Panjshanbe and Umarbayev are seven all-time caps shy of 50. Rustam Soirov and Shahrom Samiev scored in Hong Kong’s 2-1 win.
Prediction:
Qatar FC (2.5)
Odds: -0.81
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