|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Saudi Arabia struggles Qatar holds defending champs to draw
SIDON, Lebanon (AP) -- Qatar held defending champion Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw with a determined defensive effort at the Asian Cup on Tuesday. But the outcome will likely favor Saudi Arabia, which can qualify for the quarterfinals with a victory over Uzbekistan. Qatar, with two points, has to battle high-scoring Japan, which trounced Uzbekistan 8-1 in the early match. Saudi Arabia began in aggressive style against its tiny Gulf neighbor, looking to atone for the opening 4-1 loss to Japan that cost coach Milan Macala his job. He was replaced by assistant coach Nasar Al Johar. The Qatari defense wilted several times against the robust Saudis and in the 21st forward Obeid Al Jaber got off a good shot to the low left corner but goalkeeper Amer Al Kaabi dived to smother the ball. Sami Al Jaber, the star Saudi striker who recently signed for Wolverhampton in England, fired a fierce right-foot drive from the edge of the area but Al Kaabi again rose to the task. On the other side, Qatar captain and forward Fahad Al Kuwari sneaked in a low shot with 10 minutes left in the first half, but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Daeyea was not to be surprised. Qatar's elegant central defender Saoud Fath frustrated the Saudi forwards with some timely interceptions. Midfielder Abdulnasser Al Obaidly threatened the Saudi goal shortly before half-time with a looping angled shot that narrowly missed the target. Talal Al Mashal unleashed a good shot from a narrow angle eight minutes into the second half, but Al Kaabi again made a good save. Al Jaber placed a header straight into Al Kaabi's hands a few minutes later. With just over 20 minutes left in the match, Al Kaabi had to rush outside the area to intercept a ball heading to Al Jaber's path. Qatar lost its biggest asset when Al Kaabi was injured in a collision in the 72nd minute and had to be replaced by Hussain Al Romaihi. In the 77th, Qatar nearly stunned the Saudis, when midfielder Dahi Saad Al Naeimi drilled a free kick from nearly 30 meters (yards) onto the crosbar. Substitute Mishal Mubarak latched onto the rebound but volleyed wide. With 10 minutes left, Talal Al Meshal attempted an overhead bicycle kick, but it went over the bar. Qatar replied with substitute Mohammed Salem Al Enazi sending a speculative kick through the middle of the Saudi area and Jassim Al Tamimi just failed to deflect the shot into the net. Qatar finished the Group C match with 10 men, after Al Naeimi had to be taken out on a stretcher with an injury in the 86th. The team had already used up its three substitutions by then. Wih injury time running out, Al Romaihi stopped a threatening long-range attempt by Nawaf Al Temyat.
Lineups:
| ||||||||||||||||||||
