Qatar makes mincemeat of Indonesia in qualifier
IKOLI VICTOR
DOHA QATAR trounced Indonesia by 4 goals to zero at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday to move closer to the next phase of qualifying for a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament.
With Friday’s win, Qatar is joint top on eight points with Iran who have a better goal average after pulling off an injury-time equaliser in a thrilling 1-1 draw against Bahrain in Manama. Bahrain is in third place with five points while Indonesia remains pointless.
In the next fixture, Qatar faces Bahrain on Tuesday, and a victory will automatically cement its place in the fourth round, making inconsequential its last away match with Iran in February.
Two goals by Ibrahim Khalfan, and one each by Mohammed Razak and Sebastian Soria completed the rout.
The match started at a fast pace with the host team trying to net an early goal but the Indonesians, cheered by the sizeable presence of supporters in the stands, thwarted these early attempts. However, the Qatari supporters did not have to wait long for the home team to open its account.
The opening goal was scored by Mohammed Razak in the 30th minute. Three minutes later, AFC Champions League winner Ibrahim Khalfan scored from the penalty spot to end the first-half proceedings 2-0 in favour of Qatar.
Two second-half goals were to follow as Ibrahim Khalfan scored his second in the 64th minute with a low-flying shot from outside the 18- yard box to beat goalkeeper Hendro.
Second-half entrant Sebastian Soria beat the wits out of the Indonesians in the 92nd minute when his low shot found the net to seal the fate of the visitors.
Speaking after the match, Qatar coach Sebastiao Lazaroni said, “We played a good game right from the start that had our team leading by two goals in the first half.” He added: “Our boys created more chances in the second half and were able to blunt the Indonesian challenge.” About the Bahrain-Iran match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Lazaroni said, “Our next game against Bahrain is very important. For now, we will celebrate this victory but tomorrow we will start preparations for the next game.” Lazaroni praised his striking pair of Razak and Soria.
“I’m happy Razak scored. It will sure boost his confidence as well as of Soria,” he said.
Indonesian coach Wilhemus Gerardus said, “We have a lot to learn; we gave away two easy goals in the opening half. The first goal was conceded when we lost the ball from the midfield whereas the second was an easy penalty. I warned the players to be more cautious with Ibrahim Khalfan and Mohammed Razak.” He added: “Quality made the difference today. We defended poorly, lost possession of the ball in key areas and paid dearly for it.” The Indonesian team would have to regroup and build a formidable national team to compete at this level of international football, Wilhelmus said, adding, “Mentally, the team is weak and its problem is more mental than technical”.
In another World Cup qualifier played in Doha, Iraq scored in the 93rd minute to beat China in a thrilling match at the Al Arabi Stadium.
Both sides had played their hearts out and it seemed it was settled for a draw when Iraq’s Qatar- based striker from Al Wakrah scored a breathtaking winner that killed the Chinese spirit.
Just a few minutes before that, Zhang Linpeng was shown the red card for hacking down Younis Mohmoud who was moving into the box of the Chinese.
It was a game that offered so many scoring opportunities to both the sides but their forward line-ups robbed the game of goals. The best save of the match was produced in the 79th minute when enterprising Chinese midfielder Hao Junmin curled a free kick from about 25 yards that beat the defensive wall but the agility and sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid thwarted the effort with a full-stretched save.
This result definitely puts paid to the Chinese hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
IKOLI VICTOR
DOHA QATAR trounced Indonesia by 4 goals to zero at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday to move closer to the next phase of qualifying for a berth in the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament.
With Friday’s win, Qatar is joint top on eight points with Iran who have a better goal average after pulling off an injury-time equaliser in a thrilling 1-1 draw against Bahrain in Manama. Bahrain is in third place with five points while Indonesia remains pointless.
In the next fixture, Qatar faces Bahrain on Tuesday, and a victory will automatically cement its place in the fourth round, making inconsequential its last away match with Iran in February.
Two goals by Ibrahim Khalfan, and one each by Mohammed Razak and Sebastian Soria completed the rout.
The match started at a fast pace with the host team trying to net an early goal but the Indonesians, cheered by the sizeable presence of supporters in the stands, thwarted these early attempts. However, the Qatari supporters did not have to wait long for the home team to open its account.
The opening goal was scored by Mohammed Razak in the 30th minute. Three minutes later, AFC Champions League winner Ibrahim Khalfan scored from the penalty spot to end the first-half proceedings 2-0 in favour of Qatar.
Two second-half goals were to follow as Ibrahim Khalfan scored his second in the 64th minute with a low-flying shot from outside the 18- yard box to beat goalkeeper Hendro.
Second-half entrant Sebastian Soria beat the wits out of the Indonesians in the 92nd minute when his low shot found the net to seal the fate of the visitors.
Speaking after the match, Qatar coach Sebastiao Lazaroni said, “We played a good game right from the start that had our team leading by two goals in the first half.” He added: “Our boys created more chances in the second half and were able to blunt the Indonesian challenge.” About the Bahrain-Iran match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Lazaroni said, “Our next game against Bahrain is very important. For now, we will celebrate this victory but tomorrow we will start preparations for the next game.” Lazaroni praised his striking pair of Razak and Soria.
“I’m happy Razak scored. It will sure boost his confidence as well as of Soria,” he said.
Indonesian coach Wilhemus Gerardus said, “We have a lot to learn; we gave away two easy goals in the opening half. The first goal was conceded when we lost the ball from the midfield whereas the second was an easy penalty. I warned the players to be more cautious with Ibrahim Khalfan and Mohammed Razak.” He added: “Quality made the difference today. We defended poorly, lost possession of the ball in key areas and paid dearly for it.” The Indonesian team would have to regroup and build a formidable national team to compete at this level of international football, Wilhelmus said, adding, “Mentally, the team is weak and its problem is more mental than technical”.
In another World Cup qualifier played in Doha, Iraq scored in the 93rd minute to beat China in a thrilling match at the Al Arabi Stadium.
Both sides had played their hearts out and it seemed it was settled for a draw when Iraq’s Qatar- based striker from Al Wakrah scored a breathtaking winner that killed the Chinese spirit.
Just a few minutes before that, Zhang Linpeng was shown the red card for hacking down Younis Mohmoud who was moving into the box of the Chinese.
It was a game that offered so many scoring opportunities to both the sides but their forward line-ups robbed the game of goals. The best save of the match was produced in the 79th minute when enterprising Chinese midfielder Hao Junmin curled a free kick from about 25 yards that beat the defensive wall but the agility and sharp reflexes of goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid thwarted the effort with a full-stretched save.
This result definitely puts paid to the Chinese hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
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