Doha: A young Qatar side yesterday rallied to edge India 2-1 to end their second round campaign in the Asian Cup 2027 and FIFA World Cup 2026 joint qualifiers on a winning note.
The defeat ended India’s hopes of advancing in the World Cup qualifiers as Kuwait joined Qatar in the third round with a 1-0 victory over Afghanistan at home, finishing runners-up in Group A with seven points. Qatar ended the stage on 16 points from five wins and a draw, with India and Afghanistan missing out after wrapping up their campaigns with five points each.
At the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Igor Stimac’s India looked settled to score much-needed three points after Lallianzuala Chhangte’s goal in the 37th minute but Qatar bounced back strongly in the second half to pull off a win. Youssef Ayman scored the equaliser in 73rd minute with Ahmed Al Rawi’s shot from outside the box in 85th minute sealing the victory, much to the delight of coach Marquez Lopez, who again fielded a youthful side for the match.
“We did well in the second half to win the match. We were aiming for a win against India and I am happy that we achieved it and came out of the stage without a loss, which we deserved,” said the Qatar coach.
Qatar’s Yousef Aymen (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal against India yesterday. PICS: AFP
“The team gained a lot from the last two matches also including a game against Afghanistan as we tested youngsters who will be with us in the third round of World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
The hosts started on a bright note and Hashmi Al Hussain gave India a scare in the second minute with a first touch off Hazem Shehata’s corner kick but goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was well positioned to thwart the attempt.
Lopez’s side already had three shots on target in the first quarter with Al Rayyan forward Al Rawi being in the thick of action creating several chances but he missed proper execution.
Rahim Ali was off the target in India’s rare attempt in the 25th minute but from there on Stimac’s men looked a better side making several attempts with Manvir Singh seeing goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy blocking his right-footed shot in the bottom right corner.
Chhangte then put India ahead with a diving touch connecting a cross into the bottom left corner beating Ellethy.
Ahmed Al Rawi celebrates after scoring Qatar's second goal.
Qatar responded with Al Rawi firing a shot from outside the box but Sandhu denied him again as India held advantage in half-time.
Lopez sent fresh legs in after the break with Ellethy being replaced by Ali Nader, Homam Ahmed coming on for Hazem and Khaled Ali replacing Ahmed Al Ganehi.
Al Rawi continued to put pressure on India defence with a defender defying his goal-bound shot in 54th following an assist by Khaled.
It was Ayman, who brought Qatar back into the match, tapping the ball in from a close range after Sandhu failed to control his initial attempt on header from Al Hussain’s free kick.
Referee Woo-Sung Kim turned down Sandhu’s appeal that suggested Al Hussain pulled the ball back after it crossed the goal-line in the process.
With five minutes left, Al Rawi finally got his name on the score sheet slotting the winner in the right corner with a low hit from outside the box as Qatar ended their second round campaign on a high note.
Stimac expressed his discontent over non-availability of VAR questioning Qatar’s first goal.
“We wish the video technology was available to confirm the authenticity of the equaliser,” the India coach said.
“I’m not blaming it all on FIFA – I’m just saying things like these just shouldn’t happen. If it happened to Qatar, I would also speak about it. It is an injustice to my boys tonight.”
Meanwhile at Sabah Al Salem Stadium, Eid Al Rashedi’s goal in 81st minute handed Kuwait a victory that also sealed their place in the next Asian Cup.
