Basra, Iraq: Abdul Aziz Al Hatim and feared striker Akram Afif smashed two spectacular goals on
Saturday as Qatar fought back in style for a 2-2 draw against Syria.

Qatar, who beat Iraq 3-2 on the opening day of the Three-Nation International Friendship Tournament,
on Saturday rallied from a goal down after Syria had opened the scoring through Omar Al Somah in the
49th minute. Zaher Midani scored the second goal in the 72nd minute at Basra Stadium.

After a tense first half, the game came to life early in the second half when Syria opened the scoring.

Al Somah, unmarked near the Qatar box, made the most of a defender’s blunder in the 49th minute. Qatar’s
Mohammed Alaaeldin casually tapped the ball towards his own goalkeeper not realizing that Al Somah was
close to him.

Al Somah charged ahead and stopped the ball and ran towards the Qatar goal-mouth. Goalkeeper Saad Al
Sheeb stepped out of his position but Al Somah quickly grabbed the ball and shot it into the net.

In the 58th minute, Qatar produced a spectacular equaliser that stunned the Syrian backline. Abdulkareem
Hassan, lurking on the left flank, clipped a neat ball to Aziz Al Hatim – who was on the edge of the Syrian box.
Al Hatem produced a first-time flick into the net with a left-footed drive that left Syrian goalkeeper to his spot.

Afif gave Qatar the lead in the 72st minute with his third strike of the tournament. Hassan, who showed great
pace on Saturday, tapped the ball to Affi who calmly slotted the ball past keeper Ibrahim Alama.

Syria quickly equalised when Midani – after receiving a short cross – tapped the ball from close range in the
72nd minute.