Qatar has secured its first win in the opening game of the AFC Asian Cup on Wednesday evening with a resounding 2-0 win against Lebanon.

According to the bein sports, the 2022 World Cup hosts survived a scare in the first half as Lebanon had an Ali Hamam goal ruled out before second-half goals including a fine free-kick from defender Bassam Al-Rawi handed Qatar all three points. Al Anabi looked nervous in the opening exchanges despite holding onto the ball. Passes from midfield failed to stick to Almoez Ali who looked isolated in attack. Lebanon looked to take advantage with captain Hassan Maatouk causing plenty of trouble down the right wing.

However, Qatar returned in the second half composed and began to impose their passing game on their opponents. Nevertheless, Lebanon threatened from set pieces and with Maatouk on corner duty, they caused Qatar with plenty of problems.

Eventually, Qatar made the breakthrough in spectacular fashion on the 65^th minute. Boualem Khoukhi struck a long-range free-kick which saw Hassan Maatouk handed a yellow card for handling the ball in the wall. From the resulting free-kick, Bassam Al-Rawi smashed the ball past Mehdi Khalil to give the Maroons the lead. Scoring the first goal for Qatar in the process, reported bein sports. Just after 10 minutes, Almoez Ali doubled Qatar’s advantage with another goal which secured Qatar to clinch their first win overseas in Asian Cup since 1984.

(Cover image credit: www.foxsportsasia.com)

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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