FIFA Arab Cup: Qatar drop points late against Syria to complicate knockout hopes

Sudesh Baniya in Khalifa International Stadium

Qatar complicated their chances of advancing to the knockouts as Syria equalised late with a stunning strike to deny the hosts from collecting all three points at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.

Lack of efficiency up front was a recurring concern yet again, but Ahmed Alaa’s header was neutralised by Syrian captain Omar Kharbin’s strike into the top corner from a distance to steal a point from the reigning Asian champions.

With an opening day loss and a draw in their cards, the final Group A clash against Tunisia will be a must-win for Al Annabi to keep their chance of advancing alive. The progression, however, will still rely on the other game’s result.

Eight changes to the squad that suffered a last-gasp loss against Palestine in the opener seemed to be working as Julen Lopetegui’s side seemed fluid from the get-go.

Only talismanic forward Akram Afif, midfielder Mohammed Al-Mannai, and centre-back Al-Hashmi Al-Hussein retained their spots as Edmilson Junior was rewarded for his second-half exploits on Monday. Regulars Tarek Salman, Homam Ahmed, and goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham returned to the line-up as Abdulaziz Hatem took the armband.

A clever corner routine managed to free up space for Al-Mannai in the tenth minute, but the Al Shamal midfielder failed to keep the first chance of the game on target.

With Afif more involved, Qatar’s left flank looked lively, yet lacked clinical finishing. Although multiple chances fell for the likes of Ahmed and Mohammed Waad — both set up by Afif on separate occasions — it did not break Elias Hadaya’s sweat on the Syrian goal.

When the shot on target did arrive, it was Jassim Jaber’s rather bleak attempt from a distance that fell straight into the opposition keeper’s hands.

Missed chances were not the only resonating factor from Qatar’s first game. Syria also seemed to be banking on playing on the break, albeit they were more direct than the opening day’s opponents.

Jose Lana’s side frequently tried to play over the Qatari defence, looking to capitalise on the void left from Lopetegui’s side committing men forward as Qatar came to the tie requiring a point to stay in the competition.

That approach nearly bore fruit for Syria as Omar Kharbin managed to lob Barsham at the near post. It required Waad’s intervention off the line to keep the goalless stalemate.

At the touchline, Lopetegui looked visibly frustrated and punched the air while he shouted instructions as Qatar were beginning to be bypassed frequently by a Syrian side growing into the game, despite the side enjoying more possession and registering more shots on target.

Flanked by Edmilson and Afif at either end, the hosts continued to create chances in the second half. First, Edmilson’s low shot failed to beat the keeper. But even when Afif was able to draw Hadaya out and set up Hatem inside the box, Qatar’s captain on the night shot it straight at centre-back Ahmad Faqa despite having much of the post to aim at.

Syria were afforded a lifeline when a penalty for a foul on Homam Ahmed was overturned by the Video Assistant Referee, despite being given on the field.

Just when missed chances seemed to come back to haunt Qatar, Ahmed Alaa converted Edmilson Junior’s cross at the far post to hand the hosts the lead, just five minutes after coming off the bench.

Issa Laye, who replaced the injured Assim Madibo last time around, and started as the centre-back on the night, blocked Simon Amin’s shot to preserve the lead, but it did not last long.

Syria’s captain Kharbin rose to the occasion to score at the top corner from a distance, one minute into the added time, to bring pandemonium in front of pulsating Syrian supporters.

While it required Hadaya’s full stretch save to deny Mannai and avoid defeat six minutes into the added time, Syrian players fell to their knees and breathed collective sighs of relief as soon as the final whistle rang. On the contrary, most of the more than 42,000 present on the stand only grew louder.