What did the head coach of the Qatar national team say about the match against Uzbekistan?

Qatar national team head coach Julen Lopetegui and midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem participated in the pre-match press conference ahead of the match against Uzbekistan.

"A very interesting game awaits us tomorrow. Our opponent is a very well-formed team. Uzbekistan has qualified for the World Cup — this is a very big and remarkable achievement. I congratulate you on that. For my team, tomorrow's match is also a good opportunity. We will be able to test some players who have not had enough chances yet. Every match in the group is a new opportunity. The game against Uzbekistan will be difficult in every aspect. We need to demonstrate tomorrow that we are a competitive team. This is a real challenge for us," said Julen Lopetegui.

"Matches between two national teams are always tough. Uzbekistan has already qualified for the World Cup. We are heading into the playoff stage. Tomorrow's game will be our first step in preparing for the next round. The match is expected to be very challenging. It will be a physically and mentally difficult test. We will try to execute everything correctly and aim for victory," said Abdulaziz Hatem ahead of the match.

– In tomorrow’s match, there is no pressure on either team. How much can this fact influence the game’s scenario?

– The Uzbekistan national team has very good players. They play in Europe. Our opponent knows very well how to play football and consistently uses the style they prefer. We will try to win tomorrow. The playoff stage is starting. The next round is scheduled for October. Until then, we need to test ourselves in such challenges. We are playing away matches in different atmospheres against strong teams. Tomorrow we must demonstrate our capabilities.

– A question for the player. Abdulaziz, in November you came to Tashkent with Al Rayyan to face Pakhtakor. At that time, there were about 10 days left until the first match of the national teams in Doha. When we spoke then, you said that the upcoming game against Uzbekistan would be like a final for you. More than six months have passed since then, and the Qatar national team could not secure a direct qualification to the World Cup. What has happened with the national team in this time? What was lacking to qualify?

– Yes, I remember everything. The match in November was really a final for us. We won that match. Unfortunately, we dropped a lot of points in the following games. This happens in football. Now we are in the playoff stage. Playing against a strong opponent like Uzbekistan is a good opportunity. God willing, we will perform well.

– A few days ago, the Iran national team was defeated. How much did that important victory affect the team’s mood and morale?

– It was very, very important for us. Those three points took us to the playoffs. In football, one must always think about the future. The previous match is already history. We must now prepare for the playoff stage. The playoff games will be held in October. Taking the field against one of Asia’s strongest teams like Uzbekistan is a serious challenge. I repeat once more — Uzbekistan has a very strong squad. Katanec did a great job, and now Timur is continuing that work. I am glad to be in Tashkent and to have such a match tomorrow.

– The Qatar national team has won the last two Asian Cups, but has not been able to win any away matches in this qualifying stage. How shameful is this result for the reigning Asian champions?

– Football always requires looking to the future. It’s about the present and the future. Things that happened in the past cannot be undone. We are thinking about tomorrow's match. We are not thinking about anything else. I am happy we defeated Iran, but now we need to focus on the future. In football, one must keep building the future.

– A question for the player. The Qatar national team has never beaten Uzbekistan in an away match. Can this result change tomorrow?

– As our head coach mentioned, it’s wrong to dwell on history. I don’t like to recall the past. We think about the future. Everything can change in tomorrow’s match.