Saad Al-Suwaidi
Doha, Qatar - Qatar and Oman will face off in a showdown to decide the winner of the group A stage of AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 qualifiers, after both of their second round win of the group stages.
Qatar continued their strong start to their campaign, outplaying Nepal in a dominating second-half to secure a 5-0 win.
Aiding to the host country’s impressive team performance, team captain Bassam al-Rawi scored two sensational second-half goals, which adds to his rapidly-growing reputation with this performance.
Qatar U23 team controlled most of the first half, however they weren’t pushing forward the attack as they only managed two shots at goal in the opening 45 minutes, with Nepal unable to test their might.
Despite the lack of goalmouth action, Qatar ended the first-half with a 1-0 lead after a penalty scored into the top corner in the 25th minute by Abdullah Al-Ahrak.
Coming off of Qatar’s AFC Asian Cup triumph two months ago, team captain Al-Rawi delivered in the 54th minute by letting it fly with an extraordinary 35-yard half volley which went past Nepal’s goalkeeper Arpan Karki and into the back of the net.
An unfortunate own goal from Dinesh Rajbanshi extended the lead, before al-Rawi produced another goal in the 80th minute, this time sending a free-kick 30-yards into the top corner of the goal.
Al-Ahrak sealed Qatar’s dominating win, scoring on the bounce with a long-range effort with the final minutes of the game ticking down.
Oman kept their campaign alive, as they recorded their second win of group A with a 2-1 victory over Afghanistan.
Ahmed al-Matroushi and Muhsen al-Ghassani were the catalysts in the second-half, bringing the Omanis to six points in two matches, and setting up for tomorrow’s match against group hosts Qatar.
Hamed al-Azani’s side were in control early, but several missed opportunities meant Oman were unable to capitalise with Afghanistan goalkeeper Faisal Hamidi making an excellent stop to deny Salaah al-Yahyaei in one of the standout moments of the first half.
Oman’s breakthrough came in the 56th minute, when al-Matroushi got on the end of a corner kick to score with a low drive, and they doubled their lead through Al-Ghassani’s penalty kick after Hamidi committed a foul just three minutes later.
Afghanistan were awarded a penalty in the final 13 minutes of the game, however were unable to provide an equalizer, leaving Oman the victors. Afghanistan’s hopes to qualify comes to an end, after not being able to produce any points after two matches.
The major goal difference means Qatar will need only a draw against Oman to secure direct qualification as the play tomorrow for the decider of group A, while Nepal will play against Afghanistan.