Qatar’s Akram Afif vies for the ball possession with Afghanistan goalkeeper Ovays Azizi.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Reigning Asian Cup champions Qatar escaped with 1-0 win as Felix Sanchez’s side saw Afghanistan miss a first-half penalty during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 joint qualifying tie yesterday.
Akram Afif’s penalty 14 minutes from time spared Qatar’s blushes and secured all three points, but only after Omran Haydary saw his effort from the spot saved by Saad Al Sheeb in the first half at the Republican Central Stadium.
As a result, Qatar remain unbeaten in their first five qualifiers and sit on top of Group E with 13 points while Afghanistan remain on four points with three games left in the second phase of qualifying.
Despite the gulf between the teams, the Qataris were never allowed to settle by an Afghan side that pressed the Asian champions from the front, with the tactic frustrating the visitors throughout the 90 minutes.
Playing in front of a sizeable crowd in the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe, Afghanistan looked the more likely to score in the early exchanges. Farshad Noor went close to capitalising on a mistake by Tarek Salman, when the defender’s clearance was fired back with interest, only to shoot over the bar.
Almoez Ali should have done better seconds later at the other end, only to slice his attempt off target after being played in on goal by his strike partner Yusuf Abdurisag as Sanchez’s side laboured.
Salman was again involved in the 29th minute when Milad Intezar’s attempt at goal hit the defender on the hand and referee Timur Faizullin had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Haydary’ s weak attempt, though, was gathered by Al Sheeb as he dropped to his left.
While Hassan Al Haydos threatened soon after, Qatar continued to struggle and had to wait until the final quarter of an hour before they were able to claim the goal their performance barely deserved.
Afif was bundled to the ground by Noor Husin after he broke into the penalty area and the Al Sadd attacker was soon picking himself up off the turf to calmly slot his spot-kick home after sending Afghan goalkeeper Ovays Azizi the wrong way.
Qatar, who have already qualified for the 2022 World Cup as hosts, play India next on March 26, with Afghanistan taking on Bangladesh.
