DOHA: Hosts of the approaching 2013 WAFF Championship Qatar battled to a 1-1 draw against Bahrain on the match held at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday. Qatar, who are preparing for the 2013 West Asian Football Federation Championship later this month, relied on a brilliant strike from Al Sadd defender Al mahdi Ali to share the spoils. The visitors had taken the lead through Faisal Bu Dahoom in the fourth minute to surprise the hosts with an early Bahraini lead. However, Al mahdi Ali found the net for the home team in the 54th minute. Coached by Djemal Belmadi, Qatar A are preparing for WAFF Championship for Men which will be played between December 25 and January 7. Qatar will play Palestine in the opening game of the event on December 25.