CHANGZHOU: Qatar on Tuesday were edged by Vietnam in

a penalty shootout in the semifinals of the AFC U-23 Asian

Cup.

After the two sides finished extra time at 2-2, Vietnam’s won

the penalties 4-3 at the Changzhou Sports Centre.

Akram Afif opened the scoring in the 39th minute while star

striker Almoez Ali fired one goal in the 87th minute in regulation

time.

Afif gave Qatar the lead by converting a penalty kick. Ali found

the net with a close-range shot after a corner kick.

Nguyen Quang Hai scored a brace to bring Vietnam back into

the game in which Qatar had taken lead twice.

In a game that eventually went the distance of 120 minutes, Qatar

dominated proceedings with sublime football in regulation time.

Ali and Afif attacked the Vietnamese box regularly. Ali finished

the tournament with 6 goals to his name.

Qatar, coached by Felix Sanchez, reached the semifinals with wins

over Uzbekistan, Oman, China and Palestine.

In the penalty shootout, Ahmed Moein and Sultan Al Brake missed

their penalties.

After missing their first penalty, Vietnam were on target with their

remaining four shots at goal.

At the last championship held in DOHA in 2016, Qatar finished fourth.

Al Anabi will now play the 3rd-4th place playoff against the loser of

the Uzbekistan-Korea Republic semifinal later on Tuesday.

The 16-team tournament will end on January 27.