Qatar Coach Names 23-Player Final Squad For Gold Cup
Date
6/20/2023 4:28:54 AM
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fawad hussain |
The Peninsula
Doha: Qatar head coach Carlos Queiroz yesterday named 23-man final squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup that will kick off later this month in the United States and Canada.
The veteran Portuguese coach trimmed the squad after the third and final friendly played on the sidelines of national training camp in Austria. The game was abandoned after New Zealand withdrew following the first half at Sonnensee Stadion in Ritzing.
Queiroz took 26 players for a training camp in Austria to prepare for the Gold Cup, where the Asian champions will make their second appearance as a guest side having made their debut in 2021 when they reached the semi-finals.
Al Arabi goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail was left out from the squad along with Al Duhail defender Mohammed Al Nuami.
Earlier yesterday, Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced Ahmed Alaaeldin will return home after an injury that forced the forward out of Gold Cup.
“The national team's medical staff determined that the Al Gharafa striker would be sent back to Qatar to resume rehabilitation and would need to rest and recover for at least three weeks,” said QFA.
Almoez Ali will spearhead Qatar's attack along with Mohammed Muntari, who scored in the side's 2-1 win over Jamaica in a friendly on Thursday.
Tarek Salman and Bassam Al Rawi will be among the defenders in the squad while midfielders Mohammed Waad and Assim Madibo will also be seen in action.
Meshaal Barsham is expected to be Queiroz's first choice goalkeeper after the Al Sadd star played in all three friendlies in Austria.
After wrapping up their training camp in Austria, Qatar is scheduled to leave for the US today. They will take on Haiti in their first Group B match on June 26 in Hoqauston. Al Annabi will then meet Honduras in Glendale before a tough game against CONCACAF giants Mexico in Santa Clara on July 3.
The Gold Cup has been dubbed as important assignment for Qatar, who will start their campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in November and defend their Asian Cup crown at home early next year.
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