Qatar Captain Rizik Dismisses 'Weak Team Talk'

Beirut, June 03 (QNA) - Qatar football team captain Wesam Rizik has dismissed suggestions about his team being the weakest in the group, saying they will walk away with three points from their match against Lebanon today, sports media reported ahead of the the year-long final qualifying phase for the 2014 World Cup from Asia. Rizik, who has worn Qatar colours in three previous World Cup qualification campaigns, believes his team should draw inspiration from a triumphant run in the preliminary stages, as they managed to secure a 2-2 draw at Iran's imposing Azadi stadium, to earn a place in the final round of Asian qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. "This is an important match, our opponents will enjoy a great deal of support from the local fans, they have proven themselves by reaching the final group stage and eliminating some of Asia's strongest teams in the process," Rizik said in the pre-game press conference held at Le Bristol Hotel. "We have prepared well for this match, we played some really good football in our previous matches and showed tremendous guts under pressure and won. We hope to repeat the performance. "If we produce a decent display there is no reason why we can't take three points by beating Lebanon," he said. It remains to be seen if Rizq s optimism inspires the team to bounce back from two lacklustre performances against weak opposition during their build-up to the match. Qatar were beaten 2-1 by Albania in Madrid last month when they were in the Spanish capital for a training camp and were held to a goalless draw by Palestine in Doha a week ago. In Group A, South Korea and Iran will be favourites to advance despite recent problems. The normally slick Koreans, who have played in seven consecutive World Cups, suffered an embarrassing 2-1 loss to Lebanon in the third round which led to a change of coach. Their leading striker Park Chu-young has not been selected for the opening fourth round matches away to Qatar on Friday and at home to Lebanon (June 12) after a season of inactivity at English Premier League side Arsenal. Meanwhile, Lebanon has granted permission to fans to attend the match after Youth and Sports Minister Faisal Karami revoked the decision to play the game behind closed doors. (QNA)