AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers: Group C - Turkmenistan 0-0 Syria / India 0-Qatar 1
Doha: Turkmenistan's chances of making the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship in China suffered a big blow after they played out a goalless draw against Syria in a Group C qualifier at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on Friday.
Turkmenistan have just one point after two matches. Syria, meanwhile, are on four, but with a match against Qatar coming up next, they too would consider this an opportunity not taken.
Syria were the better team for almost the whole of the first half and most of the second, but they were undone by their inability to take their chances.
Syria had their first sight at goal in the 22nd minute, when Moumen Naji's goal-bound shot came off the shoulder of Ashrov Mekan and looped in dangerously, but goalkeeper Berdiyev Dovletyar pushed it out for a corner.
Naji was again in the thick of the action when he whipped in a cross from the left, only for Mohamad Rafat Muhtadi to send his header from close range wide of the mark.
Muhtadi got another chance to open the scoring when he dispossessed Turkmenistan playmaker Hojavey Resul just outside their area, but his stinging shot came at a comfortable height for Dovletyar, who dived to his right and blocked it back into play.
Turkmenistan were living dangerously and had to resort to desperate defending as Muhtadi chested down a cross from the right for Ahmad Al Ahmad to pull the trigger, but last-ditch blocking came to their rescue.
Syria grew desperate for a goal after half time and as they went all out in search of it, cracks started to appear in their defence with Rejebov Berdimyrat twice coming close to breaking the deadlock. But his presence of mind and finishing on both occasions left a lot to be desired.
At the other end Syria frittered away more chances, with substitute forward Abdulhadi Shalha missing a golden opportunity when he sent his shot high and wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The match turned a bit rough at times, and Turkmenistan's substitute Gurbankuliyev Guvanchmyrat got his marching orders for dangerous play.
Agamyradov Ahmet (Turkmenistan Head Coach)
"Very bad result for both of us. If we win the next match, we have a very slim chance of qualifying. Both teams were fighting to qualify but we couldn't win. We had a chance only if we win two matches. This one and the next one. But now if Qatar win and we beat India by a big margin we have a chance of finishing second. But it won't be enough. Both teams could have won the match. We had two good chances but of course, Syria had more chances than my team."
Hussein Afash (Syria Coach)
"We were under pressure because every second day, there is a match and it affected the players. After playing a strong first match against India, we were back on the field. We tried to score in the first half, but we lost many chances and I hope we will not regret this result in the future. We must now wait for the next match against Qatar and then wait for all the group matches to end to learn our fate."
Doha: Qatar registered their second victory and took a major step towards the 2018 AFC U-23-Championship in China after beating a battling India in their second Group C qualifier at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on Friday.
Qatar now have six points from two matches and just need a point from their last match against Syria to emerge as the group winners.
Almoez Ali scored the winner in the 54th minute after an error by India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
Qatar, who had started in blazing fashion against Turkmenistan in the last match, struggled to find their rhythm as India put up a spirited performance.
After a drab first half in which chances were few for both sides, Lallianzuala Chhangte let fly a left footer from distance that flew centimetres over the bar.
But a few minutes, later it was Qatar who were celebrating.
Almoez chased a high pass and challenged Indian goalkeeper Kaith, who made a mess of the ball allowing the Qatari striker to slot the ball into an empty net.
Several hundred Indian fans in the stadium thought their team had the equaliser when Hitesh Sharma connected Manvir Singh's cross from inside the six-yard box. But, with Qatar goalkeeper Mohammad Ahmed Al Bakari completely beaten, the ball crashed against the under side of the crossbar and bounced on the goal line. Though Nikhil Chandrashekhar got a second chance, his header sailed over.
Spurred by their own efforts and the cheering crowd, India came hard at Qatar in the last few minutes, but the hosts - though rattled - held on.
Substitute Lalhlimpuia Daniel tested Al Bakari in added time with a powerful shot from distance, and though the keeper could only parry it back into play, Lallianzuala Chhangte's follow up attempt was weak.
Felix Sanchez (Qatar Coach)
"It was a tough match but we got all three points. India played a tough game and we didn't play our game. In the second half, we had some good moments but in the last 20 minutes, we had a tough time. Our aim is to ensure qualification in the next game. Syria have very strong potential and it's going to be a tough game against them."
Stephen Constantine (India Coach)
"Congratulations to Qatar. They were fortunate to score a goal. I am proud of my players. Some of the boys were playing international football for the first time and they didn't deserve to lose this game. We lost because of another silly mistake. Another day, it would have hit the crossbar and gone inside (about India's chance). They have shown fantastic determination."
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com
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