Soccer-Qatar Edge Uzbekistan On Penalties To Set Up Asian Cup Semi-final With Iran – News18

AL KHOR, Qatar: Defending champions and hosts Qatar beat Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties in an exhilarating Asian Cup quarter-last that ended 1-1 after additional time at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday to arrange a tantalising conflict with Iran.

With practically 59,000 followers in attendance, Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham stood sturdy to save lots of three penalties within the shootout earlier than Pedro Miguel transformed the decisive spot kick to ship Qatar by means of to the semi-finals as soon as once more.

Qatar had taken the lead shortly earlier than the half-hour mark when captain Hassan Al Haydos dribbled into the field and his tried cross took a deflection which went by means of the gloves of Utkir Yusupov into his personal web to go down as an personal purpose.

But Uzbekistan didn’t surrender and took the sport to Qatar, having a number of makes an attempt on purpose till the 59th minute when Odiljon Hamrobekov managed to take a shot that brushed the fingers of Barsham in purpose earlier than discovering the web.

Neither facet might discover a breakthrough in 90 minutes whereas Uzbekistan survived a late rally from Qatar in additional time to drive penalties, the place Uzbekistan’s Rustam Ashurmatov and Qatar’s 2019 prime scorer Almoez Ali had their efforts saved.

Qatar had their hearts of their mouths when Al-Mahdi Ali Mukhtar skied his effort however Barsham turned saviour to seal their progress and provides the hosts a memorable evening within the desert.

Earlier on Saturday, Iran knocked out 4-occasions champions and the continent’s prime-ranked facet Japan after skipper Alireza Jahanbakhsh transformed a penalty in second-half stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)