Qatar stun Ecuador in seven-goal thriller

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Saturday, October 13th 2018 06:46 AM

DOHA: Qatar on Friday posted their third successive win in just six weeks when they beat Ecuador 4-3 in a high-scoring thriller at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.   A double by promising Almoez Ali (36 and 68) and a goal each by Akram Afif (32) and Hassan Al Haydos (61, penalty) saw the home team complete a convincing win at the packed venue under lights.   Last month, Qatar beat China and Palestine in the other two international friendlies.   Coached by Felix Sanchez, Qatar are playing a series of international friendlies to prepare for next year's AFC Asian Cup to be played in the UAE.   Qatar's win on Friday saw them overcome opponents who are ranked 27 places higher on the FIFA ranking computer.   The visitors, who have played in three World Cup Finals, scored through Enner Valencia (66 and 71) and Jose Francisco Cevallos (89th minute).   For the opening goal, Afif beat his marker in a deal ball situation to send right footed try crashing into the nets following a free kick from Haydos from the edge of the box in the 32nd minute.   The packed house at the Al Sadd Stadium saw Qatar add their second four minutes later with an Ali thunderbolt from 40 yards out.   The powerful shot by Ali eluded the diving Ecuador keeper and ending into the nets after brushing past the goal post.   Captain Haydos got his name on the scorers list as he sent the Ecuador goalkeeper the wrong way with his deft placement from the penalty spot.   Ecuador's Valencia scored the first of his two goals in the 66th minute.   Two minutes later, Qatar made it 4-1 as Ali's right footed shot from the centre of the box found it way to the back of the net.   In the 71st minute, Valencia added a second one to make it 4-2, raising hopes of a fight back.   Cevallos struck the third goal for Ecuador as he finished a move started by Robert Arboleda with a minute left for the final whistle.   Qatar take on Uzbekistan in another international friendly on October 16. The match will be played in Tashkent.