December 3, 2021 Qatar's Akram Afif scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Doha: Asian champions Qatar became the first side from Group A to enter the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup, edging past Oman 2-1 with the help of a stoppage-time winner at the Education City Stadium on Friday.
As expected, the match swung both ways with Qatar taking the lead through a 32nd minute spot kick by star striker Akram Afif. Oman, who were impressive in the second half, equalised from a superb header by substitute Khalid Al Hajri in the 74th minute.
The dramatic moment came in the seventh minute of stoppage time, when substitute Fahmi Durbin’s touch crossed the goal-line while trying to block a lob inside the box. Following an appeal by the Qataris, referee Wilton Sampaio consulted VAR and signalled the winner, sending a huge number of home fans delirious.
The win took Qatar, who defeated Bahrain 1-0 in their first match, to six points with a match against Iraq on December 6 remaining. The home team’s win yesterday triggered a three-way battle for second last eight spot from the group. Iraq after a goalless draw against Bahrain (1 point) on Friday are on two points.
After a gallant performance against the Asian champions, Oman – with one point - still have hopes of advancing as they face Bahrain in their final group match on December 6.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez praised the fighting spirit of his players, who dealt with the sustained pressure from Oman in the second half.
“Both teams tried their best to win, but we managed to get the victory. I think we played very well in the first half but in the second Oman played more direct and it was difficult for us to manage. But our players showed full commitment, good spirit in the final minutes of the game and were able to score at the death. It’s a very good result and hopefully it will give us confidence for upcoming matches,” he said.
The Spaniard hinted at giving opportunities to reserve players in Qatar’s last game against Iraq before the get ready for quarters.
“After this result, we will finish top of our group which is amazing for us. But we have one more game and we want to play well and make our fans happy. We will try to give some minutes to other players. Then we also have to prepare for the quarter-finals, which will be a difficult one,” Sanchez said.
Another tough win for Qatar
After a hard fought victory over Bahrain on Tuesday, Qatar confronted a tough Oman side – particularly in the second half. From a neutral perspective, a draw could have been a better result as both the teams were equally impressive throughout the match.
Sanchez made three changes from the last game, starting with captain Hassan Al Haydos, Abdelkarim Hassan and Karim Boudiaf, with the trio replacing Mohammed Waad, Tarek Salman and Assim Madibo.
Qatar looked a better side after kick off, winning three corner kicks in the first five minutes with Afif looking in great nick again and was the fulcrum of the host’s attacking game.
In another corner kick taken by Afif, Hassan headed the ball a little wide on goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini’s right. Afif led another attack in the 10th minute assisting Hassan, whose header was cleared by Oman defender Ahmed Al Khamisi. Oman were good in defense stopping dangerous attacks by the home side.
Branko Ivankovic-coached Oman also attempted to score off a 16th minute free kick but striker Issam Al Sabhi’s hit from inside the box lacked accuracy.
Qatar were facing strong resistance from the defenders, who were not giving them much space in the middle of the first half.
They created a chance but Afif’s strike missed the target by a distance in the 25th minute. Afif was on target – two minutes later – but his strike from outside the box was blocked by the Oman goalkeeper.
Afif finally put Maroons on top after winning a penalty as the Qatari playmaker was fouled by Al Khamisi close to the goal, while being in a dangerous move with striker Almoez Ali.
Afif, taking the spot kick, struck a clinical right-footed hit beating the goalkeeper on his left as the hosts took the advantage they were looking for. Qatar were forced into change after Pedro Miguel picked up with a knock and was replaced by Musaab Khidir, seven minutes before the half-time.
An error by Al Mukhaini handed Qatar a free kick on edge of the box but the goalkeeper bounced back beautifully, making an acrobatic save from a fiery hit by Homam Ahmed off a kick by Afif in stoppage time of first half.
Qatar made 10 attempts at goal, but only four of those were on target in the first half as Assim Madibo replaced Karim Boudiaf at the beginning of the second half.
Looking for a comeback, Oman came as a better side in the second half keeping the ball in control but were not getting much space to attack. Ivankovic’s team got a golden opportunity in the 63rd minute when substitute Muhsen Al Ghassani sneaked into the box with only a defender to support goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb. However, Al Ghassani’s cross landed in no man’s land.
Oman had made five attempts for an equaliser in the second half and their efforts were paid with a brilliant header from Al Hajri, who jumped between the two defenders to put the ball in from a close range following a cross by Abdullah Fawaz.
Sanchez replaced Al Haydos with Mohammed Waad, hoping to regain the lead. Oman goalkeeper played a good role in thwarting good moves from Qatar deep into the match, which was marred by injury stoppages.
Mohammed Muntari, who came in two minutes before full time to replace Abdulaziz Hatem, gave Oman a scare with a header, which just went wide in stoppage time. Qatar made repeated attempts for a winning goal throughout the period and then came the moment the Asian champions were waiting for. Durbin’s touch bounced outside after crossing the goal-line before VAR played its role.
