(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain / The Peninsula
Qatar consolidated their chances of a direct entry to the AFC U-23 Championship in China after a convincing 1-0 victory over India, thanks to a strike by Al Moez Abdullah at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday.
It was the second successive victory for Al Anabi in Group C of the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers after their commanding 2-0 win over Turkmenistan in their opening game on Wednesday.
The hosts, who are leading the group with 6 points, just need a draw against second-placed Syria (4 points) with both the teams scheduled to square off tomorrow at the same venue. The team topping the group will qualify for the AFC U-23 Championship, to be played next year.
Striker Al Moez was hero for the home team as he broke the stalemate in the 54th minute of the match, taking full advantage of a mistake by Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
Kaith failed to block Ahmed Mohammed Al Sadi's deflection from a long pass, leaving Al Moez Abdullah with just two defenders to beat and the striker made no mistake with a clinical strike.
The goal resulted in accelerating the pace of the game as India looked for a quick leveler. But, the coach Felix Sanchez's side by continuing the counter attacks kept the pressure on Stephen Constantine's team, to ensure the lead remains intact.
India, however was unlucky when an 80-minute attempt hit the goal post. They also came close to scoring in the 90th minute but Qatari goalkeeper Mohammed Ahmed Al Bakari denied them scoring with heroic double saves.
Earlier in the first half, Qatar, backed by a good number of home spectators, came close to scoring a few times but lacked execution as the first session ended without any goal being scored.
Syrian and Turkmenistani players vie for the ball possession during their AFC U-23 Championship qualifying match at Al Sadd Stadium yesterday. The match ended in a nil-all draw.
The Al Anabi dominated the possession right from the start but it was in the 27th minute when they created a realistic chance of scoring but the move was undone by the Indian defence.
The Qataris kept on attacking to take the opposition under pressure, with two of their players getting cautions. India's Chhantge Lallianzuala was yellow carded for a foul against Al Sadi in the 38th minute while Rai Vinit was cautioned, a couple of minutes later.
India gave Qatar a scare in the stoppage time by securing a corner but they failed to open account.
Meanwhile, in yesterday's other match, Turkmenistan's chances of qualifying for China suffered a big blow after they played out a goalless draw against Syria.
Turkmenistan have just one point after two matches. Syria were the better team for almost the whole of the first half and most of the second, but they were undone by their inability to take their chances.
Syria had their first sight at goal in the 22nd minute, when Moumen Naji's goal-bound shot came off the shoulder of Ashrov Mekan and looped in dangerously, but goalkeeper Berdiyev Dovletyar kept it out for a corner.
Naji was again in the thick of the action when he whipped in a cross from the left, only for Mohamad Rafat Muhtadi to send his header from close range wide of the mark.
Muhtadi got another chance to open the scoring when he dispossessed Turkmenistan playmaker Hojavey Resul just outside their area, but his stinging shot came at a comfortable height for Dovletyar, who dived to his right and blocked it back into play.
Turkmenistan were living dangerously and had to resort to desperate defending as Muhtadi chested down a cross from the right for Ahmad Al Ahmad to pull the trigger, but last-ditch blocking came to their rescue.
Syria grew desperate for a goal after half time and as they went all out in search of it, cracks started to appear in their defence with Rejebov Berdimyrat twice coming close to breaking the deadlock. But his presence of mind and finishing on both occasions left a lot to be desired.
At the other end, Syria frittered away more chances, with substitute forward Abdulhadi Shalha missing a golden opportunity when he sent his shot high and wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The match turned a bit rough at times, and Turkmenistan's substitute Gurbankuliyev Guvanchmyrat got his marching orders for dangerous play.
MENAFN2207201700630000ID1095646952
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.