Asian Cup 2023: Afif-inspired Qatar end Palestine’s brave run
Sudesh Baniya at the Al Bayt Stadium
In what could have been a bitter end to the host’s title defense, Qatar came back to clinch a 2-1 win against Palestine in front of more than 60,000 fans at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Qatar’s captain Hassan Al Haydos scored in a move resembling the volley against China – this time a low shot on the left – off Akram Afif’s corner, later repaying the favor by allowing the number 11 to take the penalty.
Afif, scoring his fourth goal of the tournament, dinked it comfortably past Rami Hamada, who had otherwise been a stellar figure on of goal against a rather bleak Qatari front line.
Things, however, did not start on a positive note for the home side, as Oday Dabbagh scored in the 37th minute, surging past the defense after capitalizing on a poor back pass from Bassam Al Rawi.
Clearly the better side in front of goal in the first half, the Palestinian side tested Meshaal Barsham twice – even before Qatar could register a shot on target.
The only shot on target that Al Annabi could manage in the first half came in the dying minutes of added minutes, in the form of Al Haydos’ equalizer.
Making nine changes from the side that defeated China, “Tintin” Marquez Lopez looked frustrated in the first half, at the edge of his touchline, instructing his side to move the ball quickly and vertically.
Despite keeping 70% of possession, most touches came from the back three of returning Lucas Mendes and the Bassam Al Rawi-Boualem Khoukhi duo.
Qatar’s first scare came in the 19th minute, as Palestine forced a save off Barsham, registering the first shot on target.
In the course of the next 8 minutes, Al Fida’i registered three more shots on target, whereas the Qatari front line scored to create chances and pelted the limited ones that they got.
Almoez Ali was fouled by Mohammed Saleh in the 48th minute inside the box, and Afif subsequently converted the penalty to put Qatar in the driving seat early in the second half.
It was a rather smooth ride for Al Annabi ever since, except for a few nervy moments in the dying minutes.
Bowing out with their best finish to an Asian Cup campaign ever, Palestine scored their first goal against Qatar in over 20 years, yet failed to replicate the tenacity of the first half in the second, coupled with the home side’s improved tactical set-up.
Qatar will now face the winners of the Uzbekistan-Thailand clash, scheduled to be held tomorrow at the Al Janoub stadium, in the quarter-finals.
