Alkass Digital
It was a battle worthy of a clash between the continental champions.
Two stoppage time goals following plenty of thrilling action amused 40,000 spectators at the Al Thumama Stadium, before Algeria broke Qatari hearts with a tense 2-1 victory in the second semi-final of the FIFA Arab Cup last night.
African champions Algeria were the deserving winners of the dramatic semi-final, which saw the Asian champions making a fightback through substitute Muhammad Muntari’s header in seventh minute of stoppage time after Algeria took lead trough Hocine Benayada in the 59th minute.
Muntari’s goal prompted a brawl among the players with Algerian players appealing for the goal to be disallowed for a foul, stretching the stoppage time to rare 19 minutes.
Just 60 seconds before the match was supposed to head into the extra time, the Madjid Bougherra's side got what they wanted.
Youcef Belaili, who plays for QNB Stars League (QSL) side Qatar SC, after having his penalty blocked with a superb effort from Qatari goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, put the ball in from a rebound, shattering Qatar’s maiden title hopes.
“I cannot say what happened but we gave our best,” Qatar’s Abdelkarim Hassan said after the loss yesterday.
“We wanted to reach the final and gave everything. I want to apologise to fans for not winning this match but congratulations to Algeria,” he added.
Algeria will take on Tunisia in Saturday’s final at Al Bayt Stadium while Qatar will look to finish third as they face Egypt at the Stadium 974 the same day.
With Felix Sanchez fielding an unchanged side that defeated the UAE in the quarter-final, Qatar played well in the second half after being dominated by the African champions in the first half.
Algeria, who started with four QSL players - Djamel Benlamri, Belaili, Yacine Brahimi and Baghdad Bounedjah – made at least 10 attempts to score in the first half.
The teams looked even in the first 10 minutes after Qatar had a bright start, entering Algeria’s box in the 15th second.
The Asian champions, who scored five first half goals against the UAE in quarter-final, came with the same intent but the Desert Warriors did not allow the Asian champions enough space.
Seeking the opener, Algeria also attacked through Bounedjah, who returned to action after completing six-day concussion protocol.
After Brahimi was booked for a reckless tackle against Afif in the eighth minute, the Qatari playmaker created a golden opportunity for Almoez Ali but the striker’s hit from near the penalty spot sailed over the bar three minutes later.
With both the continental champions fighting to take control of the match, Qatar escaped a goal after a brilliant cross by Tayeb Meziani, as he beat goalkeeper Al Sheeb but a diving Bounedjah just missed a touch in the 21st minute.
After Almoez was cautioned for a foul against Belaili, Algeria started to take charge of the match, pushing Qatar to their fences with an attacking display of football.
Algeria had a ball possession of around 60 percent at half-hour mark, which saw Hassan defying a raging Bounedjah in an interesting duel between the Al Sadd team-mates.
But, Qatar were clearly facing the pressure from repeated attacks by Algeria, and Al Sheeb blocked a furious hit from Brahimi off an assist from Bounedjah, ten minutes before half-time.
Qatar won a corner in stoppage time but Karim Boudiaf was clearly off target with his header off Afif’s kick.
Al Annabi were not accurate in the first half, taking four shots off target and needed a turnaround against the African champions.
But Bougherra’s side continued to test Qatar with their attacks from all directions as the hosts were giving away the ball easily.
Al Sheeb punched away a strike by Belaili off a free kick from five yards outside the box before Bounedjah was ruled off side for the third time in the match after his strike hit the post.
Afif led Qatar’s attack but he didn’t receive support as his cross inside the box was stopped in the 51st minute.
The Desert Warriors were rewarded for their dominating display with Benayada firing a superb volley from outside the box after Al Sheeb punched away Brahimi’s corner kick just before the hour mark.
Sanchez soon sent Muntari, who replaced Boudiaf as the home side looked to fight back. Bounedjah after receiving an injury was called back with Mehdi Tahrat replacing the striker.
Boualem Khoukhi’s brilliant header off a lob from Homam Ahmed was thwarted by Algerian goalkeeper Mbolhi Rais in 72nd minute.
Qatar were desperate for a comeback goal and started to dominate the game though they were not finding space.
Homam pumped up the home spectators with his solo run in the Algerian box but he was unable to convert a fine effort as Qatar were racing against time with five minutes left.
Qatar received nine minutes of stoppage time to make a comeback and soon after that Almoez’s header from inside the box just sailed over the crossbar.
The striker then became a part of best moment for the hosts when he hit a superb cross and Muntari responded it with an equal brilliance, heading the ball past the Algerian goalkeeper.
Qatar’s goal prompted a brief brawl among players from both the teams, with Benlamri and Belaili receiving yellow cards for showing dissent as they appealed for a foul.
The match, however, was not destined to go into extra time as Hatem committed a foul against Belaili inside the box, with referee Szymon Marciniak handing a penalty. The Qatar SC player netted the last gasp winner after Al Sheeb punched the ball straight at him while blocking the penalty.