Fossati names squad for qualifiers

QATAR will take on Azerbaijan in an international friendly at the Al Sadd Stadium on Thursday.

The match is a part of Annabi’s 18-day camp in view of the make-or-break games in the 2018 World Cup Asian Zone qualification against Iran and Uzbekistan, to be played on March 23 and 28 respectively.

Qatar coach Jorge Fossati last Sunday announced a 28-member squad for the camp. Though nucleus of the team remained the same, the Uruguayan has added new young faces like Lekhwiya midfielder Asim Madibo and Al Gharafa goalkeeper Yousef Hassan.

Qatar, with four points, are fifth in the six-team Group B halfway through the qualification’s third round. The top two teams from both Group A and B will book their berths at the Russia finals. The third-placed teams will fight it out over two legs, with the successful side taking on CONCACAF play-off winners for the fifth spot.