Tough test ahead for Qatar in 2018 World Cup qualifiers
Qatar received a difficult draw for the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday as they embark on their final attempt to qualify for the tournament before hosting it in '22.
The Gulf state were bracketed with rapidly emerging China, who impressed at this year's Asian Cup, and will also face tricky trips to Hong Kong and Bhutan.
Qatar have never reached the World Cup and an appearance at Russia '18 would help assuage critics who question their credentials as hosts of football's biggest competition.
The reigning Gulf champions disappointingly failed to reach the Asian Cup knock-out stages in January and they will be keen to show their worth in international competition.
Alain Perrin's China are seeded top in Group C and Bhutan created headlines when, as the world's lowest ranked team, they shocked Sri Lanka to reach the second qualifying round.
"Especially against Qatar it'll be difficult... (but) it's important to compete everywhere in the world if we want to go to the World Cup," Perrin said.
"For me, I know Qatar, I know this team. I know what they can do in the World Cup games and it'll be difficult, but it's okay. We'll have to prepare for our games well."
Asian Cup-winners Australia face a challenge from Jordan in Group B, while Japan received a kind draw with Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore and Cambodia in Group E.
North Korea, who reached the '10 World Cup, could spring a surprise in Group H, where Uzbekistan, Bahrain and the Philippines are seeded above them.
"It's about time an Asian country breaks the European, South American handle on the World Cups," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou.
"We can help raise the standards and push an Asian country to win the World Cup one day. It starts today."
The top eight teams and four best group runners-up will progress to Asia's final World Cup qualifying round, as well as the '19 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The remaining 28 teams will compete for the other 12 places at the Asian Cup, which has been expanded to 24 sides for '19.
The home-and-away round robin starts on June 11 and finishes on March 29 next year. [AFP]
Group A: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, East Timor, Malaysia
Group B: Australia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh
Group C: China, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, Hong Kong
Group D: Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Guam
Group E: Japan, Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore, Cambodia
Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan
Group G: South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Laos
Group H: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Philippines, North Korea, Yemen
I don't know much about football Brit, so I looked up the world rankings. Qatar is 99. The only team above them is China (#82). The other 3 teams all have lower rankings - Maldives #141, Bhutan #163 and Hong Kong #167. If this is what Qatar thinks is a "tough test" then perhaps they should rethink their football ambitions.
They should just be grateful they aren't in a group with Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea or UAE.
If you can't beat Bhutan and Hong Kong, then you shouldn't bother entering the competition