AFC Asian Qualifiers
Akram Afif unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, the reigning AFC Player of the Year delivering free-kicks in the 49th and 74th minutes for his teammates to nod in the goals that took Julien Lopetegui’s side through.
Sultan Adil scored deep into injury time after Tarek Salman’s earlier red card to set up a tense finish but Qatar, who had never qualified for the Finals before having made their debut at the tournament in 2022 at hosts, prevailed.
The UAE, meanwhile, will go into a two-legged playoff next month against the runners-up in Group B. The winners of that game will then feature in the FIFA Playoff Tournament in March.
Sultan Adil scored deep into injury time after Tarek Salman’s earlier red card to set up a tense finish but Qatar, who had never qualified for the Finals before having made their debut at the tournament in 2022 at hosts, prevailed.
The UAE, meanwhile, will go into a two-legged playoff next month against the runners-up in Group B. The winners of that game will then feature in the FIFA Playoff Tournament in March.
Qatar went into the game needing to win to qualify and the home side threatened early, Sultan Al Brake’s seeing his close range attempt blocked by Khaled Eisa and Ayoub Al Ouwi flashing the rebound across the face of the UAE goal.
Lucas Pimenta should have put the UAE ahead in the 15th minute after he peeled away from his marker to meet Ali Saleh’s centre from the left with a powerful header that only just bounced wide of Mahmud Abunada’s right post.
Lucas Pimenta should have put the UAE ahead in the 15th minute after he peeled away from his marker to meet Ali Saleh’s centre from the left with a powerful header that only just bounced wide of Mahmud Abunada’s right post.
The Emiratis had a narrow escape as the 25th minute approached when Akram Afif swung his cross from the left towards the far post and the late-arriving Edmilson Junior only just missed making a connection that would have left Khalid Eisa struggling.
Edmilson Junior turned provider five minutes later, the Belgium-born winger flinging in a cross that Mohammad Manai met with a downward header that bounced wide of Eisa’s right post.
Edmilson Junior turned provider five minutes later, the Belgium-born winger flinging in a cross that Mohammad Manai met with a downward header that bounced wide of Eisa’s right post.
Four minutes after the restart the deadlock was broken. Saleh’s foul on Edmilson Junior presented the Qataris with a free-kick in a dangerous area on the right flank and Afif bent his delivery towards Khouki and the central defender headed home.
Substitutes Erik and Sultan Adil combined to threaten to score the equaliser in the 71st minute, Adil rising to meet his teammate's pass as he floated the ball into the penalty area but the header bounced harmlessly wide.
Substitutes Erik and Sultan Adil combined to threaten to score the equaliser in the 71st minute, Adil rising to meet his teammate's pass as he floated the ball into the penalty area but the header bounced harmlessly wide.
But three minutes later the Qataris doubled their lead, Afif again delivering a perfect free-kick for Pedro to head in at the far post as the ball sailed over Eisa.
A red card for Salman for a dangerous tackle on Erik gave the UAE hope and Adil pulled one back for Cosmin Olaroiu’s side in the 98th minute when he struck into the bottom corner but the Qataris held on to spark scenes of jubilation.
A red card for Salman for a dangerous tackle on Erik gave the UAE hope and Adil pulled one back for Cosmin Olaroiu’s side in the 98th minute when he struck into the bottom corner but the Qataris held on to spark scenes of jubilation.
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