Qatar’s Ahmad Al-Sayed celebrates after scoring team’s first goal.
Doha: Qatar revived their AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Hong Kong, while Saudi Arabia maintained their perfect start with a 3-2 victory over Oman.
Qatar, who had suffered a 2-1 defeat to Oman in their opening match, dominated from the start at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium and took the lead in the 10th minute through captain Ahmad Al-Sayed. Omar Ali doubled Qatar’s advantage seven minutes later before forward Yazan Mohamed added a third in first-half stoppage time to seal Qatar’s first win.
The result moved Qatar level on three points with Oman, while Saudi Arabia sit top of Group E with six points after winning both their matches.
At Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium, Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 18th minute when Awaji Mohammed’s header from Yasir Al-Dhafeeri’s corner deflected off Fahad Abdullah and into his own net. Oman responded five minutes later, with Aly Al Alawi setting up Hassan Al Qassmi to score from close range following a well-worked free-kick.
Saudi Arabia regained the lead two minutes after the restart when Faris Yousef’s cross was headed by Elyas Abu Bakr, with the ball looping over goalkeeper Hassen Al Hinai before crossing the line off the underside of the bar. Yousef then made it 3-1 in the 66th minute, acrobatically steering Fawaz al-Mashhur’s cross into the net.
Ghanim Al-Samin reduced the deficit three minutes later, sidefooting home from the edge of the box after combining with Al-Alawi, but Oman could not find an equaliser as Saudi Arabia held on for the win.
