Qatar's New Coach Autuori Optimistic Ahead of Iran Tie

Doha, February 20 (QNA) - Qatar's newly appointed coach Paulo Autuori on Sunday sounded a note of optimism about the prospects of the national team players while starting training session for the football World Cup 2014 qualifying match against Iran on February 29. "I have a great deal of confidence in my players' ability to make it through our next match in Iran," said the Brazilian. "We are trying to instill the needed amount of confidence and experience in this stage, we will have the advantage of having many players from Al Sadd who have done really well recently, this of course boosts our chances to produce a solid display in Azadi." All 28 players were present for the Qatar national squad's first gathering since last December under Autuori's charge. The exceptions were Mohammed Saqr, Youni Ali, Jarralah Al Mari and Abdullah Koni. Qatar SC defender Khalid Saleh was called to join in to compensate for Koni's absence, according to Qatar Football Association (QFA) news. In his first session, Autuori conducted a low-duty session as he emphasized on tactical drills to avoid overtraining effects following a number of hectic weeks in the local championship. The 55-year-old coach praised his predecessor Sebastiao Lazaroni for leaving him the legacy of a strong team that is on the verge of advancing to the final group phase of the Asian zone World Cup qualification stage. The bottom line is winning he said. "Whether it is the first team or the Olympic, we are facing a one way situation, winning is mandatory. "We have a large number of players that are capable of breaking through into the starting line-up, this creates a competitive atmosphere, which is always a good thing." Autuori, who has led ACL 2012 qualifiers Al Rayyan to two Emir's Cup titles and Sao Paulo to glory in the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup, is taking charge of a national team for only the second time in his career following a stint with Peru from 2003 to 2005. His immediate challenge is to prepare Qatar for their final 2014 FIFA World Cup round three Group E qualifier against Iran on February 29, with the 2011 AFC Asian Cup hosts almost certain to be in the March 9 draw for the fourth round alongside the Iranians regardless of the result in Tehran. With one match left to play Qatar are second in the standings with nine points, two less than Iran and three more than Bahrain. The Qataris have drawn 0-0 twice with their Gulf neighbours but have a vastly superior goal difference of plus five compared with Bahrain's minus four. A friendly with Lebanon was scheduled on the 23rd of this month, but was cancelled due fear of injuries, according to the Brazilian. (QNA)