Qatar players celebrate their second goal yesterday.
Doha: Asian champions Qatar scored a goal in each half to register an impressive 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in a friendly at the Education City Stadium, yesterday.
Playing their first international match after the FIFA Arab Cup in December, Felix Sanchez-coached Al Annabi put up a good display both in attack and defence to edge the Balkan side in a gripping match.
Striker Akram Afif put Qatar – ranked 52 on the FIFA computer – ahead with a clinical spot kick in 27th minute before Kiril Despodov netted the equaliser at an hour-mark.
Leading the side for the first time in absence of injured Hassan Al Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi scored a brilliant winner in 74th minute. He connected Afif’s free kick with a rising header to beat goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov.
Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham was outstanding yesterday denying Bulgaria several times with his acrobatic saves.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts will now meet Slovenia in their second friendly on Tuesday at the same venue.
Qatar team management has planned the two friendlies as part of team’s preparations for the World Cup. Al Annabi’s build up for the FIFA showpiece in the last couple of years also include participation in the Copa America, Gold Cup and European Zone World Cup qualifiers.
Earlier at the Education City Stadium, Jaka Bijol scored his first international goal in stoppage time to help Slovenia snatch a 1-1 draw in friendly.
Slovenian players celebrate after scoring a late equaliser against Croatia at the Education City Stadium, yesterday. Pic: Twitter/ FA Slovenia
Andrej Kramaric grabbed lead for 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia with a strike in 39th minute.
He latched on to a long pass from Duje Caleta-Carand beat Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak in a one-on-one for the goal.
With second left, Bijol equalised after his header bounced off the underside of the crossbar and just crossed the line.
Coached by Zlatko Dalic, Croatia will now take on Bulgaria on Tuesday at the same venue in their second and final friendly in Qatar.
