Doha: Reigning Asian champions Qatar registered their second successive victory at the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, outclassing hosts India 3-0 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. With their second consecutive victory, Qatar extended their lead to six points atop the group. Carlo Queiroz's team won their first game 8-1 over Afghanistan, while India won their opening game 1-0 against Kuwait last week. Qatar dominated in every aspect from the very start. The Maroons scored three times, with goals from Moustafa Mashal, star striker Almoez Ali, and substitute forward Yousuf Abdurisag. In the fourth minute, Qatar seemed poised for another rout as Moustafa Tarek Mashal scored after a scramble in the box. In the previous week, Qatar had beaten Afghanistan 8-1. Akram Afif was the primary threat down the left side throughout the first half. He should have scored the opening goal in the first minute but failed to capitalize. However, he kept finding space in the penalty area. Almoez Ali, Qatar's striker, continued his hot scoring streak by scoring a close-range goal just two minutes into the second half to put his team up 2-0. throughout, Qatar continued to dominate, racking up eleven corners; from the edge of the box, Almoez curled one to the far corner, nearly scoring his second of the match and Qatar's third. His shot, which had everyone else beat, hit the top of the crossbar. For the game-winning goal, substitute forward Yusuf Abdurisag nodded in a cross from Mohamed Waad with just four minutes remaining. Next up in the group, India will take on Afghanistan away from home in the new year, while Qatar host Kuwait in Group A. Qatar, coached by Carlos Queiroz, will now prepare at home for their title defence at the Asian Cup 2023, which will be held from January 12 to February 10, 2024.