DOHA: Qatar coach Daniel Carreno has been busy meeting with Qatar Stars League (QSL) clubs in order to ascertain the fitness of the national team players.
Qatar will play four international friendlies in August before their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Iran on September 1.
“Me and my backroom staff have visited various clubs and met with coaches,” Carreno said on Monday.
“We got information that we sought and now we can plan better,” he added.
“We have sufficient time to plan and prepare for the games in August. We are running fitness drills involving the fit players.
“The players were on a break and now they are back. There’s one month remains before our game against Iran.
“The four friendlies were planned sometime back,” Carreno said.
“There could be a fifth game but we are not certain,” he said.
Carreno said Akram Afif, Moeen Ali and Khalfan Ibrahim are not with squad at the moment. “There were some players with the U-23 squad. Akram will join us after a few days,” he said.
Carreno said striker Ibrahim still needs improved fitness. He said the Al Sadd forward remained a key part of his future plans.
“The door is to open for him once he gets fully fit,” Carreno said.
Qatar take on Uzbekistan on August 6 in Doha.
The Peninsula
