In the hostile atmosphere of the world Cup hosts of the 2022 through against the championship-experienced Saudi Arabia. Record Champion Japan is shaking briefly at the end wins. And also the Oman allowed to cheer.
The atmosphere between the parties was friendly at this Asian Cup, But in the match between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the final preliminary round game in group E, two Teams whose home countries are deeply hostile to each other. The politically powerful in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the small, but insanely rich Emirate of Qatar for more than a year bad relationships that observers even speak of a “Cold war” in the Gulf. Riyadh has imposed a Blockade on the neighbors and broke off the relationship, among other things, because one accuses the Katarern to unetrstützen terrorism. On the side of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the host of the Asia Cup are ironically.
Accordingly, the atmosphere in the stadium of Abu Dhabi was heated, where at the end, but the small Qatar to host the world Cup of 2022, with 2:0 (1:0) against the multiple world Cup participants Saudi Arabia. The goals for Qatar, secured with nine points, also winning the group, scored Almoez Abdulla (45. Minute +1/80.). In addition, Hassan Khalid Al-Haydos gave a foul penalty, the Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais shiny parried (41.).
Japan will secure the group victory
Japan rejoices at the end but
Previously, the record-breaking winner of Japan was moved without point loss to the round of sixteen. The four-time Champion won the game to win the group against Uzbekistan in Al Ain with 2:1 (1:1) and is thus also three Games unbeaten. Uzbekistan was able to get over the defeat, finally, the Uzbeks in group F maintained second place and had a dissolved – just like Japan – the Ticket for the next round already before the last preliminary round game.
Still more there would have been, under certain circumstances, even for the “sleeping giant in the Asian football”: Because Eldor Schomurodow had brought the Uzbek Team in the lead (40.), marriage of the former Mainzer Yoshinori Muto immediately offset (43.). After a free-kick from Tsukasa Shiotani (58 scored.) for Japan the winning goal. Genki Haraguchi (81.) from Bundesliga side Hannover 96 on a delivery just before closing. Yuya Osako from Werder Bremen, who had scored the 3:2-opening win against Turkmenistan two goals, was not used.
Oman won the parallel group F match in Abu Dhabi against Turkmenistan with 3:1 (1:1) and secured third place in group F. the team as one of the four best third-placed also into the second round.
asz/sn (dpa, sid)