Asian Cup 2023: Qatar survive resilient Uzbekistan as Barsham pulls through on penalties
Sudesh Baniya at Al Bayt Stadium
Meshaal Barsham saved three penalties as Qatar booked a place in the final four defeating a tough Uzbekistan side at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.
Barsham saved the second, fourth and last Uzbek penalties, denying Rustam Ashurmatov, Zafarmurod Abdurakhmatov, and Jaloliddin Masharipov in a situation that was toughened by Almoez Ali and Almahdi Ali’s failures from the spot.
As teammate Pedro slotted in a composed kick from the spot, Qatar survived their toughest challenge so far in the tournament, against quality opponents who registered more shots on target as well as had their moments that could turn the tide in the regular time in front of more than 58,000 fans.
Qatar, however, started on the front foot and took the lead just minutes before the half-hour mark. Courtesy of Uzbek keeper Utkir Yusupov mishandling the ball, Hassan Al Haydos’ cross from a tight angle ended up on the back of the net. The home side had constantly been attacking until that point with “Tintin” Marquez Lopez’s system allowing Jassem Gaber, Akram Afif, and Al Haydos ample space to move between the lines.
With two changes at the heart of defense – Almahdi Ali coming back for Bassam Al-Rawi and Tarek Salman replacing Al Sadd teammate Boualem Khoukhi – Qatar stuck with three at the back, relying on Pedro and Mohammed Waad for width throughout the game.
It was one of Waad’s blocks that made sure Qatar went into halftime still on the lead, however. The Al Sadd midfielder operating on the left tracked back and blocked Azizbek Turgunboev’s shot, which in all likelihood seemed to be beating Meshaal Barsham in front of the goal.
Uzbekistan, intensifying their occasional counter-attacking runs in the second half, came out more potent in the second half, testing Barsham on several occasions.
At the stroke of the hour mark, Odildzhon Hamrobekov ran into a loose ball outside of the area, finishing it beyond the Qatari keeper at the far post to equalize.
Keeping the tempo, the Central Asian side kept on knocking the opposition defense thereafter, registering ten shots in the second half compared to Qatar’s tally of one.
Qatar’s highest scorer in the tournament Akram Afif came close to sealing things for the home side, exchanging passes with Waad before missing the target by inches in the 11th minute of the added injury time.
As it had been the tale of the match, Uzbekistan quickly broke through at the other end as Shakhboz Umarov failed to hit the target with a volley at the near post despite connecting well and having given the freedom to do so.
Qatar came close to scoring on multiple occasions, first in the fifth minute of extra time with substitute Abdulaziz Hatem aiming a long ranger. Reminiscent of his trademark finishes, the Al Rayyan midfielder wearing the armband following Al Haydos’ substitution hit the top of the crossbar.
The second best chance for the hosts came 12 minutes later, which Almoez Ali side netted after bursting inside the box with the ball.
In a night marked by physical exchanges and some quick turnaround and counterattacks, seven yellow cards were handed in total, including one to Srecko Katanec for his display of disapproval with the refereeing decisions going against his side.
With the win, Qatar have now won six consecutive Asian Cup knockout games – a record – and will face Iran to contest for a place in the final in Lusail Stadium.
