Ali strikes twice as Qatar storm into quarter-finals
CHANGZHOU, January 16, 2018- Feared striker Almoez Ali on Monday produced a sterling performance to guide Qatar to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Ali, one of Qatar's rising football stars, scored a brace as Al Anabi beat hosts China 2-1 in their final game of Group A.
Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar finished the group stage of the 16-team tournament with a maximum of 9 points from three matches. China finished with 3 points having lost to Uzbekistan last Friday. Uzbekistan are the other side to qualify for the quarter finals leaving hosts China out of the tournament.
Ali scored once in each half as Qatar secured their last-eight berth in what were chilly playing conditions. Yao Junsheng's effort had given China an early lead but a resolute Qatar side hit back with two goals.
The host nation also saw their captain He Chao sent off yesterday. In a frenetic start to proceedings, China were ahead after only four minutes. Deng Hangwen did well to outmuscle defender Sultan Al Brake deep inside the Qatar penalty area, before finding Yao who deflected the ball home from close range.
Qatar's response was swift as Al Anabi scored twice to seal their hard-fought win.
With Qatar slowly beginning to gain a degree of control, disaster was to strike China on 41 minutes when captain He was handed a second yellow card by referee Alireza Faghani following a foul on midfielder Akram Afif.
From the resulting free-kick, Bassam Al Rawi rattled the crossbar with a stinging effort, before parity was restored in the dying embers of a fascinating first period courtesy of Almoez's deft header from a sublime cross by Afif. In the second half, China's hopes of a comeback were quashed when Ali found the net for the second time in the match from close range.
Tameem Al Muhaza provided the cross for Ali to score Qatar's winning goal. Qatar started the tournament by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 followed by a similar scoreline against Oman. Also on Monday, Uzbekistan beat Oman 1-0 to progress to the quarter-finals at the Jiangyin Sports Centre Stadium.
An own goal from Thani Al Rushaidi in the first half was enough to give Uzbekistan a second place finish in Group A, while Oman exited the tournament with no wins to their name. In the opening minutes, Oman - who made six changes to their starting line-up from their previous match - looked confident playing around the tight spaces, with Al Mandhar Al Rawi and Marwan Awlad Wadi doing a great job in keeping the Uzbek backline nervous with their quick passes.
Eleven minutes in, Al Rawi surged down the middle but his shot was well blocked by defender Obbosjon Otakhonov. Uzbekistan retaliated with a close attempt seven minutes later, when Azizjon Ganiev's corner-kick found Zabikhillo Urinboev in the penalty area, but with a difficult angle his header missed to the right.
In the 36th minute, a series of passes around the box led to Rustamjon Ashurmatov letting fly a left footed shot which was saved by keeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini but moments later, an own goal was conceded by Al Rushaidi when Oman failed to clear the ball from the box.
After the restart, Uzbekistan returned more confidently but after several early attempts, opted to play at a slower pace as they held on for the three points. As Group A runners-up, Uzbekistan will face the Group B winners in the quarter-finals on Friday.
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