Qatar will be out to prove they are worthy of a World Cup debut in 2022 when they open their Asian Cup campaign on Wednesday. Qatar ranked 93 in the world, play Lebanon, ranked 81, in their opening group match of the 24-team tournament in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The Asian Cup is likely to be the last major test for Qatar before their first World Cup in 2022, for which they automatically qualify as the host nation - the first time since 1934 that the host has never previously played in the tournament. "The World Cup is still four years (away). Sanchez, who won the Under-19 Asian Cup with Qatar in 2014, would not be drawn on how this might impact the team.

Source: dna January 08, 2019 16:18 UTC