Soccer-Qatar e book World Cup slot as second-half headers sink UAE

Khouki met Akram Afif’s free kick 4 minutes into the second half to place hosts Qatar forward and the Asian Player of the Year unlocked the UAE defence once more with 16 minutes left, delivering the free kick from which Miguel headed in.

Qatar’s Tarek Salman was despatched off within the 89th minute and Sultan Adil pulled one again for the UAE 9 minutes later in a nail-biting end that featured greater than quarter-hour of stoppage time.

The win means the Qataris prime Group A with 4 factors forward of the UAE on three and Oman with one within the fourth spherical of the Asian qualifying competitors.

“This is something we’re proud of,” mentioned Afif. “We thank God for the win. It’s a small value for what the followers have given us. We had been capable of convey them happiness.

“We earned this result through our effort. We were determined to qualify and we made it happen.”

Qatar can be showing at a second consecutive World Cup after making their debut on the finals as hosts in 2022.

The UAE proceed on to a two-legged conflict subsequent month in opposition to both Saudi Arabia or Iraq with the winner of that sport progressing to the intercontinental playoff in March.

TENSE OPENING EXCHANGES

Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar facet wanted to win to qualify and UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa was known as upon to disclaim Sultan Al-Brake within the early exchanges, whereas Nicolas Gimenez flashed an try large on the different finish in a tense opening.

Lucas Pimenta ought to have put the guests in entrance on the quarter-hour mark having peeled away from his marker to fulfill Ali Saleh’s cross, solely to go narrowly large of Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada’s proper put up.

Qatar’s Edmilson Junior was millimetres away from connecting with Afif’s inswinging cross from the left and Mohammad Manai nodded his try large as the house facet elevated the strain.

The Qataris went in entrance simply after the break, Saleh’s foul on Edmilson Junior establishing Afif to ship a curling free kick from the correct that Khouki gleefully headed dwelling.

Afif unlocked the UAE defence once more within the 74th, floating in a free kick from the opposite flank that sailed over Eisa’s head and Miguel headed in from shut vary.

Qatar’s Salman was despatched off for a reckless lunge on UAE substitute Erik and Adil buried his low shot into the nook to arrange a dramatic end however Spaniard Lopetegui’s crew held on.

This article was generated from an automatic information company feed with out modifications to textual content.

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