Qatar and Al-Sadd striker Hassan Al-Haidos (L) competes for the ball against Real Madrid's Nacho Fernandez. (Photo : Getty Images)
Undefeated team Qatar (6-0-0, 18 points) and current Group C runners-up Hong Kong (4-1-2, 14 points) are scheduled to meet in a matchday 9 game at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, March 24th as the 2018 World Cup qualifiers for AFC moves forward.
The Maroons, who are still unbeaten in the group stage so far, defeated Hong Kong in a high-scoring match, 3-2, during their first meeting in the tourney at the Mong Kok Stadium in matchday 4.
Head coach Kim Pan-Gon's side will look to get even in this match as the team also hopes to earn the second slot to advance third round of the said qualifying competitions. The match is crucial for Hong Kong as they have the chance to secure the second spot in the Group C table if they pull off a victory against the Qataris.
If they lose, then third-running China will most likely get the second spot and Hong Kong will be eliminated from the World Cup campaign.
The Group C front runners are coming off a relaxed 3-0 win over lowly team Bhutan at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan last year on Nov. 17th, as per Soccerway.
Striker Mohammed Muntari opened the scoring at the 22nd minute of the game before Al Sadd winger Hassan Al-Haidos pulled off a brace at the 36th and 90th minute to complete the three-goal haul of José Daniel Carreño's men.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong managed to force a goalless draw against neighborhood rivals China during the same matchday 8 at the Mong Kok Stadium to put Team Dragon's World Cup campaign in distress, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Pan-Gon's team is now three points ahead of China in the Group C standings, but they have only no games left after meeting Qatar, which virtually makes this match a must-win for Hong Kong.
The predicted result is a close 2-1 victory for Qatar as Hong Kong will give them a tough fight right at their home stadium.
Qatar starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Lecomte; Musa, Hassan, Ali Mukhtar, Kasola; Khoukhi, Asadalla, Hatem, Abdullah; Soria, Al Haidos
Hong Kong starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Yapp; Lee, Sealy, Baise, Junior; Lo, Leung, Lam, Bai; McKee, Xu
