The Peninsula
Qatar’s team management is hoping Almoez Ali to recover in time as they face Panama in the quarter-final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas tomorrow.
The Al Duhail striker, who was the leading goal scorer in the tournament in 2021 with four goals, missed the entire group stage due to muscle strain. The team’s medical staff is keeping a close look on Almoez’s recovery as his availability for the match remains a doubt.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz had earlier said he would not take any risk on injured players as Qatar will compete in important tournaments including the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in November and the Asian Cup early next year.
However, Almoez’s return will be a relief for Queiroz, who is already missing forward Yousuf Abdurisag, goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, defender Tarek Salman, midfielders Mohammad Waad and Ahmed Fathi and striker Tamim Mansour Moftah due to suspensions.
Almoez had scored a goal when Qatar played out a pulsating 3-3 draw against Panama in the tournament two years ago. The other goal-scorers – Akram Afif and Hassan Al Haydos – are not in Queiroz’s touring squad.
While Qatar entered the semi-finals in their debut appearance as guests in the same edition, Panama have reached the last-four stage four times, though their last appearance came in 2015. Panama have been in good form in the ongoing tournament, topping Group C following an unbeaten run.
After losing their opening match to Haiti 2-1 and drawing against Honduras 1-1, Qatar bounced back with a 1-0 victory over eight-time champions Mexico to reach the knockout stage.
“Our team has developed from the first game to third, and we will enter this game to win and also to improve,” Queiroz told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
"In knockout stage, the chances to win are equal for both sides. Panama is a strong team and they have the experience. We are ready for the match," he added.
Qatar midfielder Ali Asad said: "The match will be exciting as we qualified from a tough group and Panama advanced without a defeat. Tournaments like this gives us experience and playing against different schools helps us to develop."
The quarter-final will be played at 2:00am (Doha time, Sunday).
If Qatar manage to beat Panama, they will meet the winner of the United States and Canada’s quarter-final.