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Crushing blow UAE stuns Qatar to boost World Cup hopes
Updated: Thursday October 04, 2001 8:34 PM DOHA (Reuters) -- The United Arab Emirates kept their cool when it mattered on Thursday to deliver a crushing blow to Qatar's World Cup hopes, in scoring a tense 2-1 victory in an Asia Zone Group B qualifying match. Faisal Khalil and Yaser Salem struck once in each half as the UAE avenged a 2-0 home loss against Qatar to rekindle their hopes of earning a playoff spot. The UAE moved up to second place in the five team group on 10 points from seven matches while Qatar dropped to third on nine from as many matches. With group leaders China as good as through to the finals on 13 points from five matches, the UAE has now put itself in a strong position to finish second in the group. In Asia qualifying, the two group winners advance to next year's finals while the two runners-up playoff on a home and away basis to qualify for a final playoff with a runner-up from the European qualifying Group 2 -- either Portugal or the Republic of Ireland. Uzbekistan -- seven points from six matches -- also have an outside chance of taking second place in the group, while Oman -- two points from five matches -- have been eliminated. Although Qatar enjoyed more of the possession, they blew all but one of the scoring chances that came their way as they were nowhere near their usual incisive form in front of goal. After falling behind just before the break, Qatar stepped up their game and managed to equalize through Waleem Hamzah just two minutes into the second half. Hamzah was then guilty of missing a golden opportunity to give his side the lead, heading just wide of the target in the 61st minute. Two minutes later, Qatar's leading striker Mohammed Salem al-Enazi fumbled in front of goal before the UAE turned the game on its head just six minutes from time. Yaser Salem, taking advantage of a poor clearance, slotted the ball home with a neat right foot shot and the UAE defense held firm to deny Qatar in the dying minutes.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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