The defending champions secured a dominant 3-0 win over Lebanon in the opening fixture of the tournament last week, while the Crowns played out a goalless draw against China.
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Qatar would be bidding to seal their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 when they take on Tajikistan in a Group A fixture at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday. The reigning champions secured a dominant 3-0 win over Lebanon in the opening fixture of the tournament last week, while the Crowns played out a goalless draw against China. Meanwhile, the previous encounter between these two sides was more than a decade ago in a friendly, where the Persian Lions prevailed 2-1.
📸 – Shots from the press conference of our national team 🇶🇦 for tomorrow’s match against ‘Tajikistan’ in the second round of #AsianCup2023 .#AlAnnabi #LetsWin pic.twitter.com/xANp99qqU4
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) January 16, 2024
Tajikistan gave a good account of themselves in their first ever Asian Cup fixture on Saturday, earning a point against China (79) who are ranked 27 places above them according to FIFA. Petar Segrt’s side restricted Dragon’s Team to zero shots on goal in the first-half and managed to put Aleksandar Jankovic’s side on their heels for a good portion of the contest. The result extended the Crown’s unbeaten run to six games in all competitions, but they missed an opportunity as the young Tajiks were the aggressors for long stretches. The draw versus China was the first time Segrt’s men had failed to find the back of the net since March 2023, with the Pamirians scoring 13 times in their five previous encounters.
Qatar, on the other hand, put three goals past Lebanon without reply on Friday. The hosts broke the deadlock through Akram Afif’s fine finish on the stroke of half-time, before Almoez Ali headed home from left-back Mohammed Waad’s brilliant cross ten minutes into the second-half. Though substitute Omar Bugiel desperately tried pull one back for the Cedars, creating couple of half-chances, the Maroons put the icing on the cake with Afif’s second of the night six minutes into the injury time. A victory on Wednesday combined with a win or a draw for China against Lebanon, would see the 2022 World Cup hosts advance to the last-16 stage of the Asian Cup on consecutive ocassions for the time.
Tajikistan probable starting lineup: Yatimov, Safarov, Khanonov, Dzhuraboyev, Nazarov, Shukurov, Umarbayev, Ayni, Dzhalilov, Panjshanbe, Soirov
Qatar probable starting lineup: Barsham, Miguel, Mukhtar, Mendes, Mohammed, Al-Haydos, Fatehi, Hatem, Gaber, Afif, Ali
Tajikistan
| Opponents | Score |
| China | 0-0 (D) |
| Hong Kong | 1-2 (W) |
| Pakistan | 1-6 (W) |
| Jordan | 1-1 (D) |
| Malaysia | 0-2 (W) |
Qatar
| Opponents | Score |
| Lebanon | 3-0 (W) |
| Jordan | 1-2 (L) |
| Cambodia | 3-0 (W) |
| India | 0-3 (W) |
| Afghanistan | 8-1 (W) |
| last 2 match-results | Score |
| Tajikistan beat Qatar | 1-2 |
| Qatar beat Tajikistan | 5-0 |
The AFC Asian Cup fixture between Tajikistan and Qatar will take place at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday at 8:00 pm IST.
| Tajikistan vs Qatar | Key Details |
| Date | January 17 |
| Venue | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Kickoff time in Tajikistan | 7:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in Qatar | 5:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 8:00 pm |
The live telecast of the AFC Asian Cup matches in India will be available on Sports 18 network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Jio Cinema. Meanwhile those in Tajikistan can watch the match on Varzish Sport and Uzsport TV. Football fans in Qatar can catch the live action via beIN Asian Cup, beIN Sports and Alkaas Extra Network.
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