Qatar players and officials arriving in Austin, Texas, yesterday, ahead of their Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final against USA.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS: Asian Champions Qatar will meet hosts United States in the semi-final of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Qatar, the only invited team in the 16-nation tournament, booked a place in the last-four clash after a thrilling 3-2 win over El Salvador on Sunday.
The semi-final will take place at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on Friday, July 30 with kick off set for 2.30pm Qatar time.
The Felix Sanchez-coached team arrived in Austin yesterday ahead of the blockbuster clash.
The six-time winners, United States made it to the semis after defeating Jamaica 1-0 following a tough battle in the quarter-final clash played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, yesterday.
Jamaica were eager to attack from the opening whistle and Alvas Powell nearly put the team in the lead with a mid-range attempt that was saved by US goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 14th minute.
As the United States began to push forward with its outside backs, it was met by Jamaica’s stingy defense. Junior Flemmings cut off a pass meant for Shaq Moore in the 15th minute, while Sam Vines was denied a shot to score by Devon Williams just five minutes later.
Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake had his share of work as well, saving four shots on the night. He intercepted a long pass from Kellyn Acosta to Sebastian Lletget in the 21st minute and also denied Matthew Hoppe left-footed volley just a minute later.
One of the best opportunities in the first half for Jamaica came in the 38th minute on a curveball just outside the box from Flemmings, which forced a flying save from Turner.
Acosta shot from outside the box himself in the 45th minute, forcing a gasp from the crowd, but the match remained a stalemate at the break.
The second half saw the intensity remain the same as Blake was called upon in the 47th minute to deny another attempt from Hoppe.
Jamaica had a breakaway opportunity from Flemmings in the 56th minute but he was stripped by Miles Robinson inside the box and James Sands cleared the danger.
Gyasi Zardes nearly broke the deadlock, minutes after coming off the bench, but his 66th-minute attempt was saved by Blake.
Matthew Hoppe would ultimately be the man who would deliver the game-winner for the United States in the 84th minute. It was a huge moment for the Schalke 04 forward as he notched his first international goal for the US.
Mexico, ranked 11th in the FIFA computer, will take on Canada who beat Costa Rica 2-0 yesterday, for a place in the final as they seek their 11th Gold Cup title. The final will take place at the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Sunday, August 1.
