Alkass Digital
Two goals from each half helped Serbia defeat Qatar 4-0 in their Group A match in the European Qualifiers at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary yesterday.
At Al Annabi’s ‘home venue’, an own goal by Boualem Khoukhi put the Serbians ahead as early as the second minute of the match before Luka Jovic doubled the lead (15). Dusan Vlahovic (60) and Nikola Milenkovic (85) scored in the second half of the match which was played sans spectators due to COVID-19 protocols.
Jovic’s goal came when he shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a fast break to the delight of coach Dragan Stojkovic as Serbia, ranked 29th in the FIFA computer, dominated the proceedings.
A few minutes later, Khoukhi shot at the goal from more than 35 yards to undo his mistake, but was saved in the bottom left corner by the Serbian custodian Predrag Rajkovic. It was just before Almoez Ali also tried to score with a shot from outside the box, but only to see the attempt blocked by Rakjovic.
Luka Jovic and Filip Djuricic tried to give further troubles to Qatar with multiple attempts to score, but Al Annabi goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb did exceptionally well to disappoint the visitors as score stood the same before the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Upon resumption, Pedro Miguel, assisted by Almoez, shot at the goal but his attempt was thwarted in the centre of the goal before Serbia added a third through Vlahovic. Following a pass made by Djuricic, Vlahovic’s left footed shot from the centre of the box kissed the bottom right corner of the net.
Almoez and Mohammed Waad both made several attempts to score in two different instances in the 68th minute, assisted by the Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif on both occasions, but failed. Almoez shot from a difficult angle on the left but the ball flew next to the right goal post while Waad kicked the ball from outside the box but it got saved by Rakjovic.
Serbia sealed the deal with a fourth goal when Milenkovic headed the ball into the net from the centre of the box after receiving a cross from Andrija Zivkovic following a corner kick.
It is noteworthy yesterday’s defeat was Qatar’s first against Serbia, having won three and drawn one out of four previous meetings.
The Felix Sanchez-coached Asian champions, hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, have already qualified for the global football spectacle. Qatar are trying to amass experience through playing against top teams in Europe in the Qualifiers.
Sanchez’s men will next play Portugal on Saturday at the same venue.