BEIRUT. Oct 9 (AFP): Striker Mohammed Salem Al Enazl is confident tiny Qatar can carry on their proud giant-killing history at the Aslan Cup.

Qatar are placed In a tight-looking Group Three along with Saudi Arabia, Japan and Uzbekistan.

The Saudis and Japanese are the overwhelming favourites to take the first two automaiu qualifying spots but Al Enazl and Qatar are hoping to score an upset.

"Wc like this group because every time we are up against strong opposition we do our best and play good matches." Al Enazi said.

"Against Jordan in the qualifiers we needed either a win or a draw and played terribly in the first half and were lucky not to go three or four down.

"Whenever we have two chances we always seem to lose, but we did well in the second half and got the point we needed.

"I am sure we can do well in this group." said Al Enazi. who became the first Qatari to play in Europe this year when he signed with Turkish outfit Yoz-gatspor.

With a population of little more than 650.000. Qatar should by rights be one of the minnows of Asian football.

But the oil-rich state has ploughed money Into the sport's development and the national team has consistently punched above their weight.

They missed out on qualification for the 1998 World Cup by just one point, registering an impressive away win over China as well as a home victory over mighty Iran in Doha.

But although they have been able to raise their game in occasional big tournaments Qatar have also been frustratingly inconsistent. After winning the Gulf Cup in 1992 and going close again in 1996. they failed to qualify- for the last Asian Cup.

Coach Dzemal Hadziabdic will also be mindful that if Qatar fails to put up a fight in Lebanon his position as coach is likely to come under pressure. In the past three years. Qatar has had no fewer than seven national team coaches.