Qatar Sets the Pace in AFC Asian Cup, Advances with Win Over Tajikistan

Thursday, January 18th 2024 10:23 AM

National Teams | First Team

Al Khor: Defending champions Qatar became the first side to advance to the Round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup after beating Tajikistan 1-0 at Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday. The defending champions’ second win, coupled with China PR and Lebanon playing to a goalless draw earlier in the day, means Qatar are assured of finishing as the Group A winners. Akram Afif, who scored a brace for the hosts in a 3-0 opening victory against Lebanon on Friday, scored the all-important goal, sending home fans into raptures after a brilliant assist from striker Almoez Ali in the 17th minute. The victory also assured Qatar a top place in Group A after Lebanon held China to their second consecutive goalless draw earlier on Wednesday at Al Thumama Stadium. It all made up for a nervy start from the hosts as Tajikistan started aggressively, with Rustam Soirov forcing Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham into making an early save. Qatar, however, began making inroads with Ahmed Fathy’s cross in the 17th minute, finding Tarek Salman, but the centre-back failed to get his header on target. But Afif calmed the nerves in the hosts’ camp 30 seconds later as he sped past defender Vahdat Hanonov and dinked the ball above Yatimov for his third goal of the tournament.

In the 33rd minute, Qatar believed they had earned a penalty after an altercation between Ali and Manuchehr Safarov. However, following a VAR check, Japanese referee Kimura Hiroyuki Kimura opted to award Tajikistan a free-kick instead. Shortly before halftime, Qatar had another scoring opportunity when Yatimov spilled Afif’s shot. Despite the goalkeeper’s error, defender Zoir Dzhuraboev made a remarkable goal-line clearance to thwart Ali’s attempt on the rebound. Qatar faced a moment of concern three minutes into the second half as Alisher Dzhalilov engaged in a foot race with Barsham. Although Dzhalilov reached the ball first, a heavy first touch cost him the chance with the goalmouth wide open. Just before the hour mark, Qatar missed two chances, with Ahmed al-Ganehi sending his shot over from just inside the box and Ali being denied by Yatimov’s imposing frame. Tajikistan’s time to equalise was running out fast before it took a further hit in the 81st minute as Amadoni Kamalov saw his yellow card upgraded to a red following a VAR review. The forward had kicked out at al-Ganehi, as the latter was brought down by Mohamed Waad. While Qatar will look for their 10th consecutive Asian Cup win when they face China on Monday, Tajikistan will have to defeat Lebanon on the same day to stand a chance of advancing.

Thursday, July 17th 2025 04:26 PM