soccer

Soccer

Qatar’s powerhouse footballers showed why they have qualified so easily for next year’s Asian Cup, making it five wins out of five with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hong Kong, China.

While the visiting team had the occasional glimpse of goal, the Qataris had no intention of letting their form slip at Al-Gharrafa Football Stadium in Doha on Wednesday 11 October.

The 15th Asian Games host’s performance showed exactly why this side has scored 14 goals with only two conceded in qualifying, with flair players like goalscorer Hussain Yasser a nightmare presence for the visiting full backs and centre halves.

And although Hong Kong, China strived to bring the game to Qatar with a number of quick counter-attacks, its forwards were too often left isolated against Qatar’s powerful defenders and disciplined midfield.

The Far Eastern side has now almost certainly had its qualifying dreams dashed even if it defeats Group F whipping boys Bangladesh in its next and final match. Uzbekistan thrashed Bangladesh 4-0 in Dhaka to go second on Wednesday, three points clear of Hong Kong, China and with a far superior goals tally.

A draw at Al-Gharrafa could have made a big difference for the Hong Kongers. Coach Lai Sun Chueng will have been happy with his boys as they approached half time having largely contained the bigger and more skilful Qatar players.

With three minutes to go in the half, a free kick from Qatar’s Ali Nasser on the left was headed over the bar by Bilal Rajab, who blamed himself after missing what seemed to be the last chance before the whistle.

But when former Manchester City and Antwerp attacker Yasser won another kick on the right a minute later, the visitors were caught napping.

Yasser lofted in a cross that should have been meat and drink for the defence, but goalkeeper and captain Fan Chun Yip caused confusion by straying off his line for a ball he was never going to win. Rajab rose and calmly headed over him to score at the second time of asking.

Hong Kong, China responded almost immediately. Defender Gerard Ambassa Guy foraged forward, setting up a neat interchange between Law Chun Bong and Chu Siu Kei who led Qatar a merry dance before Chu sliced his shot horribly wide.

The second half saw Qatar sweep forward relentlessly, with Yasser a class apart. Turning his markers inside out, he got in a cross that Meshaal Abdullah just failed to steer home. Hong Kong, China’s Lo Chi Kwan was injured as the defence cleared, making way for the lively Sham Kwok Keung.

On 53 minutes, the game was over as a contest. Another break by Yasser saw him perform devilish trickery on the edge of the box before firing in the second goal past a crowd of confused defenders.

Sham almost got one back when a rare opening saw him head just past the post after a free kick from Chu. Substitute Sham’s cavalier forward runs and fierce shielding of the ball were a highlight for Hong Kong, China in a half dominated by Yasser and Qatar’s attacking play.

Qatar faces Uzbekistan away on 15 November, hoping for a 100 percent record of six wins out of six.

Soccer

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