We performed admirably against a determined & resilient India: Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz

Queiroz stated that the win falls short of their expectations.

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Qatar emerged victorious with a resounding 3-0 triumph over India in their second round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The match commenced with an early goal scored by Moustafa Tarek Mashal in the 4th minute of play. Following that, India launched a counterattack after 20 minutes and generated several impressive opportunities. However, they were unable to convert these chances into goals. Consequently, the first half concluded without any further alterations to the scoreboard.

In the latter half of the match, India's chances were further compromised when Almoez Ali scored an early goal in the 47th minute, intensifying the pressure. As the match drew to a close, the substitute Yousuf Abdurisag sealed the victory with a third goal just before the final whistle.

Qatar are now firmly placed at the top of Group A with six points followed by India with three points.

In the post-match press conference, the coach of Qatar, Carlos Queiroz, along with their outstanding player of the day, Akram Afif, expressed their contentment at securing a significant victory here in Bhubaneswar. 

Thoughts on the game

Qatar was threatened when India tried attacking, but they clinched an easy win on the opponent's home turf. When asked about the game, Carlos said, “It was our objective to achieve a total of six points in this particular round. Fortunately, we successfully attained this target through the commendable commitment and exemplary performance of our players. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them for their remarkable sacrifices and efforts in securing these six points.”

“From my perspective, we fully deserved to emerge victorious in this game, as we fielded the best possible team on the pitch. However, it is important to note that the game was far from easy. Maintaining control from the very beginning, asserting dominance in terms of attacking movements, and ensuring steadfast defensive control and organization required considerable skill and determination. Our players performed admirably against a team that displayed unwavering determination and resilience”, he added.

India’s game on the day

Carlos praised the Indian team and lauded their efforts, as he said, “Despite exerting immense pressure since scoring the opening goal, we made every effort to control the game by pressing the opposing players, pressing the ball, and pressing all over the field.

"However, our adversaries displayed unwavering determination and never relented. This compelled our team to exert even more effort, as not a single moment was granted by the Indian team to secure a respite and score the three goals”, he added.

How different was the game from the one against Afghanistan?

Qatar had a better finish against Afghanistan as they defeated them with 8-1 goals. Carlos stated, “In our group, we hold the belief that there is always room for improvement, regardless of the outcome. Whether we win or not, we strive to constantly progress and be better.

"This explains why even when we achieve a victory with a score of 8-0, we do not consider it sufficient; we always aim for more. Similarly, even a 3-0 win falls short of our expectations, as we continuously seek to push our limits.”

Indian fans at the stadium

Fans came in numbers to witness the game. When asked about the fans at the stadium, Akram Afif said, “"We are delighted to be present in this location. It is an exceptional nation. The supporters, I greatly appreciate the supporters. As athletes, we relish playing alongside the fans. It is an extraordinary experience for us to compete against crowds numbering 8,000, 10,000, or even 15,000 individuals. The paramount achievement is that we emerged victorious in this endeavor. It holds immense significance for us."”