Qatar's players and officials toss goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham in the air after the victory at Al Bayt Stadium, yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Meshaal Barsham held his nerves in a dramatic penalty shootout against Uzbekistan to keep Qatar’s title defence intact. The Qatari goalkeeper made three astonishing saves in the shootout as the hosts walked out of the epic Asian Cup quarter-final with a 3-2 penalty victory following a 1-1 stalemate in 120 minutes last night.
As Pedro Miguel converted the winning penalty with a clinical hit, the entire Al Bayt Stadium barring a few Uzbek fans burst into celebrations as Qatar set up a tasty semi-final clash against Iran.
Qatar's goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham saves a shot by Uzbekistan's Jaloliddin Masharipov during the penalty shootout. Pictures: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil / The Peninsula
Barsham was thrown into the air in jubilation by his teammates in front of almost 60000 spectators. The 25-year-old was the hero of the intense battle indeed.
He blocked Uzbekistan’s efforts from all directions in the shootout, diving to his left to deny Rustamjon Ashurmatov after he got a tip to Otabek Shukurov’s converted penalty.
Qatar could have gained the lead in penalties having got their first shot on target through playmaker Akram Afif, but they soon found themselves in trouble after striker Almoez Ali saw his shot stopped by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov.
With Shokhboz Umarov successfully scoring from his attempt, Almahdi Ali skied his hit to haunt the Qatari fans.
But Barshim’s heroics rescued the home side as he thwarted Zafarmurod Abdirahmatov’s attempt on his right corner with Sultan Al Brake slotting the ball in the back of the net to draw level for the hosts.
Barsham then read Jaloliddin Masharipov’s mind well to comfortably block his hit in the centre with Miguel completing the job for Qatar, who reached the Asian Cup semi-final for the second consecutive time.
Qatar's players celebrate their win over Uzbekistan.
“I am delighted to help Qatar reach the semi-finals again by stopping the penalty kicks. The whole team contributed towards this win which I want to dedicate to our fans,” said Barsham.
Qatar coach Marquez Lopez said: “The players made great efforts throughout the match and I want to thank them for their efforts. I congratulate the Qatari people for reaching the semi-finals and thank fans for their support.”
The tournament ended in heartbreak for Uzbekistan as they were a better side for most part of the quarter-final. After they conceded an own goal in 27th minute by Yusupov, they put up a gutsy show defying the pressure of the enormous support for the home side.
The Srecko Katanec’s side dominated the second half with Odiljon Hamrobekov scoring the equaliser in the 59th minute after he broke free of the Qatar defence and drilled a shot into the corner of the net.
But Qatar got off to a fast start to the match with Afif continuing his ambitious run, forcing Uzbekistan defence into early action as he witnessed his 11th-minute effort blocked.
Uzbekistan were having short spells of possession and it was Afif, who threatened the defence again racing clear from the left before a crucial interception with Almoez awaiting delivery in the middle.
It was an own goal that put the hosts ahead when captain Hassan Al Haydos fired a cross from the right corner flag and Yusupov in a bizarre act spilt the deflected ball into his own net.
As Uzbekistan sought the equaliser, Shukurov’s deflected attempt from the centre of the box just flew over the bar.
Midfielder Mohammed Waad kept Qatar’s lead intact with a superb piece of defending as he threw his body behind Azizbek Turg’unboyev's strike with Barsham apparently out of reach.
Yusupov made amends for his mistake earlier brilliantly blocking Almahdi’s header off another set-piece masterpiece from Afif four minutes before half-time.
Katanec’s side made a promising start to the second half as Barsham made a fine save from Masharipov’s long-range shot.
The Qatari goalkeeper escaped a red card, thanks to a VAR review that retained his yellow card after he took down Abbosbek Fayzullayev on the left wing.
The flowing wave of Uzbekistan attacks finally resulted in an equaliser as Hamrobekov fired home a left-footed hit that hit the back of the net despite taking Barsham’s touch.
Both the teams adopted a cautious approach but the last-gasp moments of stoppage time gave a scare to Qatari fans with Fayzullaye and Shokhboz Umarov coming close to scoring the winner.
Afif also had almost struck the decisive goal, as his shot from the left side of the box just missed the far corner.
In extra time, Yusupov made a superb save from Abdulaziz Hatem’s attempt as both the teams continued to look for the all-important goal.
Uzbekistan survived a late burst from Qatar in the second period of extra time as Almoez struck the side netting before Almahdi’s header was stopped before the penalty shootout where Barsham excelled to give Qatar their 12th straight win in the Asian Cup.
