Qatar to Face Estonia Saturday Ahead of Travel to Australia

Doha, December 26 (QNA) - Qatar national team take on Estonia on Saturday at Lekhwiya club's Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium as the Maroon step up their preparations for the Asian Cup, which kicks off on Jan. 9 in Australia. Head coach Djamel Belmadi is expected to introduce minimal changes to his Gulf Cup winning side as Khalfan Ibrahim returns after missing the Gulf Cup through injury and new faces Lekhwiya defender Mohammed Tresor Abdullah and El Jaish forward Mohammed Muntari are called up to the team. Qatar and Estonia met only once before, a December 2010 friendly in Doha that ended 2-0 in favor of the home side. The Maroon will leave Doha right after the game as they go into a 13-day training camp in Australia ahead of the tournament. They will play two friendlies against Oman and New Zealand on Dec. 31 and Jan. 5 respectively in Canberra. Qatar were drawn alongside Iran, UAE and Bahrain in Group C. (QNA)