December 7 – Qatar defeated Bangladesh 5-0 in the only Asian World Cup qualifier of 2020 to end the year on a high. Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif and Almoez Ali (pictured) starred, both scoring a brace.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of this match was that it clears Qatar’s calendar for a packed 2021 schedule that will see the country compete as guests in Conmebol’s Copa America and Concacaf’s Gold Cup next summer.
The 2019 Asian champions ran out comfortable winners on home soil in Doha against the Bangladeshi in their only competitive match of the year. The victory moved Qatar top of Group E on 16 points from six games, four more than Oman. The World Cup qualifiers double up as pathway to the 2023 continental finals in China.
Qatar qualify automatically for the 2022 World Cup as hosts, but the match was a welcome relief from a truncated 2020. World Cup qualifiers across Asia were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and in friendlies the Al Annabi drew with Costa Rica, but lost to both Ghana and South Korea.
Against Bangladesh, the result was never in doubt with Adulaziz Hatem handing Qatar a lead in the 9th minute. Afif doubled the advantage just after the half-hour mark before Almoez scored a brace. In injury time, the Al Sadd striker Afif wrapped up victory with a fifth Qatari goal.
“They had a good match physically and mentally,” said Qatar coach Felix Sanchez. “All I wanted today from the players is to give their best and have a good performance. However, we could have scored more than five goals.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735065227labto1735065227ofdlr1735065227owedi1735065227sni@o1735065227fni1735065227
