What: WAFF Championship (Group Stage)
When: December 25, 2012
Where: Al-Sadd Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Kickoff: 14:30 GMT
TV: Al-Kass
Streams: Stream 1
Previous Meetings (0-1-6)
Qatar Synopsis
Another year, another manager for the 2022 World Cup Hosts. Former Lekhwiya manager Djamel Belmadi- standing in for Fadi Al-Thani- has been charged with leading Al-Annabi who will be fielding an experimental side without the likes of Sebastian Soría, Khalfan Ibrahim, and Mohammed Kasola.
Notables in the squad include strikers Ali Afif (27 caps, 6 goals) and Mohammed Razak (13 caps, 3 goals) who will be counted on not only for goals but to provide leadership and guidance to an inexperienced bunch. Qatar’s entire midfield was uncapped at senior level coming into this month so the onus will be on Palestine to exert their will in that area of the pitch.
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| Projected Qatar XI |
Palestine: Saying all the right things
Palestine are in a confident mood despite a 2-2 draw against Emirati first division side Ittihad Al-Kalba. With the AFC Challenge Cup fast approaching they will seek to use this tournament as a spring board for future success. Even though the team is missing some key elements in Alexis Norambuena, Ismail Amour, Haitham Dheeb and Fahed Attal this can be considered a full strength squad and Mahmoud will seek to put forth the strongest team possible after giving 19/21 available players a run out against Ittihad Al-Kalba last week.
In the pre-match press conference both Jamal Mahmoud and Captain Ramzi Saleh stated that their intended aim was not to just participate but contend for the title. Palestine will take confidence from the fact that they have been able to neutralize Qatar before- so expect a team hungry to grab the maximum three points. The team will most likely line-up in a 4-4-2 formation with the only question mark being who plays at left back.
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| Projected Starting XI |
