Qatar go down fighting to Iraq in Gulf Cup
Kuwait, December 27, 2017- Qatar played some fluent attacking football, especially in the first half, and scored a stunning goal, but that proved not enough as they lost to Iraq 1-2 in a Group B match at the Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
Iraq, who had drawn 1-1 with Bahrain in their first match, lead the group with four points. Though Bahrain, who beat Yemen earlier in the day, also have four points, they have scored a goal less.
Qatar are third on three points.
Qatar enjoyed a bright start to the game and deservedly took the lead, with a stunning goal from Almoez Ali in the 17th minute.
Pedro Miguel won the ball deep in his own half and did well to evade a couple of challenges before Karim Boudiaf took over and hit a first-time pass to Hassan Al Haidous, who in turn found Almoez on the inside left channel. Almoez still had plenty to do, but his first-time left-footed shot packed too much power and precision for Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan Hachim whose dive was always going to be in vain.
Qatar took control of the game for a while as Akram Afif and Abdulkarim Hassan both breached the left side of Iraqi defence, but they failed to find their team-mates on both occasions.
Iraq came close to equalising in the 45th minute when Aymen Hussein met Hussein Ali's cross from the right with a thumping header, but Al Sheeb came up with a stunning point-blank save.
However, he was helpless as moments later when Ali Fayez Atiyah launched a dipping freekick into the top right corner of his goal.
The goal gave Iraq the momentum and they came out of the breather all guns blazing as Qatar heaved a sigh of relief when Aymen's header bounce off the crossbar in the 48th minute.
Qatar were living dangerously and it did not take Iraq long to score again.
Humam Tariq caught the whole Qatari defence flat-footed with a delightful cross from the right in the 65th minute and with Saad Al Sheeb also rooted to his line, it just needed a touch, which Ali Husni, making his run from the deep, happily obliged.
Stung by the reversal, Qatar tried to get back into the game and substitute Mohammed Muntari had a chance in the 72nd minute after Iraqi defence failed to clear their lines, but he blasted his shot high into the stands.
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