DOHA: Inspirational striker Khalfan Ibrahim has been named in the Qatari squad for next month’s Asian Cup, according to a list published by coach Djamel Belmadi yesterday.
Ibrahim, who plays for QSL club Al Sadd, missed Qatar’s successful Gulf Cup campaign in Saudi Arabia last month owing to an injury. He will make his comeback in a friendly against Estonia here on Saturday.
The Maroons are scheduled to leave for Canberra — which will be their base during the Asian Cup — on Sunday.
But the 23-man squad did not include Qatar’s other ace forward Sebastian Soria, who also missed last month’s Gulf Cup.
Ibrahim will be partnered by striker Hassan Khalid Al Haydos at the Asian Cup, which will feature a total of 16 teams.
Goalkeeper of the Tournament at last month’s Gulf Cup, Qassim Burhan, has also been named in Belmadi’s squad.
The Maroons are high on confidence going into the Asian Cup. Not only did they win last month’s Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia, Qatar have also beaten DPR Korea, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Australia in friendly matches recently.
The 2015 AFC Asian Cup will be the 16th edition of the tournament.
It is scheduled to be held in Australia from January 9 to 31 next year.
Qatar will face Iran, the UAE and Bahrain in Group C of the tournament.
The winners of the Asian Cup will earn the right to participate in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, which is to be hosted by Russia.
The last edition of the Asian Cup was held in Doha in 2011.
THE PENINSULA
SYDNEY: Australia’s all-time leading goal-scorer Tim Cahill is feeling as fit as ever and thinks he could continue playing for another four seasons into his 40th year.
With his weight and body fat ratio unchanged since he was 17, Cahill said he would be looking for a two or three year contract when his deal with MLS club New York Red Bulls expires next year.
The 35-year-old forward, in Australia to prepare for next month’s Asian Cup, said he could yet return to the English Premier League, where he spent nine years with Everton before making the switch stateside.
“The future’s bright,” Cahill said. “I’ve got another year left on my New York Red Bulls contract. The main feeling for me is every time I’m at a club, I like to be there for a long time.
“To be totally honest, I could have gone back to the Premier League on loan after the World Cup and I decided to stay with Red Bulls for the remainder of the season and still (have) options to go back to the Premier League if it’s the right one for me.
“So when you put everything into one, the decision I make will be a methodical one, like I’ve always made it. It will take a month or so but I think people will be quietly impressed with what I’m trying to do.”
Playing for his country, for whom he has scored at the last three World Cup and 36 goals in total, remains a key factor in his considerations over where to play.
REUTERS
