Our win against UAE is big but now all our focus will be on winning the Asian Cup final SPORT against Japan: WednesdayWednesday 30 January 2019 MABROOK AL ANNABI 4 UAE 0

Qatar clinch historic victory in the second semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup, thrashing UAE 4-0 on their home turf in , yesterday. Al Annabi will face Japan in the final on Friday.

Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al Haydos and score a goal each in memorable triumph against the arch-rivals.

Almoez equals tournament record of most goals with his 8th strike in the event while Qatar claim their sixth consecutive victory, smashing a total of 16 goals without conceding any.

Stories on Sport pages 05, 06 and 07 WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 SPORT 05

Qatar’s forward Almoez Ali (centre) shoots to score during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup semi-final against UAE at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Magnificent Almoez equals record tally

FAWAD HUSSAIN Almoez opened his account “ We have an organised set-up THE PENINSULA against Lebanon in Qatar’s 2-0 in Qatar, facilities in Aspire victory and went on scoring four Academy and on other places are Hostile atmosphere Qatar’s historic performance at the goals in Al Annabi’s 6-0 thrashing outstanding. That has helped us a AFC Asian Cup is a result of over North Korea. lot in preparing ourselves to Japan have played very mars Qatar’s big win combined efforts from the entire The striker scored both the achieve goals,” he said. well in the tournament. team but one player deserves a goals in crunch While Almoez credits team They played very well special mention – Al Annabi’s match before scoring a crucial spirit for his success, experienced THE PENINSULA red-hot striker Almoez Ali, who goal against the UAE, Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho to beat Iran in the first ABU DHABI equalled tournament’s record for yesterday. saw a special talent in the Qatari semi-final. Our win most goals after firing a stunner “My performance is a result of striker, who also plays for Al against UAE is also big A partisan crowd turned hostile yesterday when Qatar against the UAE in yesterday’s teamwork and planning of the Duhail. thrashed homes side UAE 4-0 to reach the final of the 2019 semi-final. entire squad. I am very proud to “I think this boy Almoez is but now all our focus AFC Asian Cup. From the first group match play my role for my country,” agile. He moves fast (and) he is will be on winning Some 42,000 fans at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium against Lebanon till Qatar’s mem- Almoez said after triumph over the cool in the face of the keeper,” said the final against a looked downbeat as Qatar fired two goals in each half in orable 4-0 drubbing over the UAE, yesterday. Mourinho, who was in Qatar tough side. what was an electrifying performance from coach Felix hosts, Almoez remained a “I don’t have individual goals earlier this month, to give his Sanchez’s side. nightmare for the opposition as I want to play my part in expert opinion on beIN Sports. When opened the scoring in the 22nd defence in the tournament. achievement for the whole country “He plays at an interesting Almoez said the record will not minute, some UAE fans threw water bottles but when Almoez In front of sandal-throwing and win big titles for Qatar,” he level and who knows in the next be in his mind when Qatar face Ali fired a beauty in the 37th, it all turned ugly. UAE fans spectators at Abu Dhabi’s added. couple of years, this boy could be Japan in the final, saying winning started throwing footwear and water bottles at Almoez who Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium, the playing in another league so that the AFC Asian Cup title for Qatar was stopped from celebrating his record-breaking strike. 22-year-old sensation, fired a he becomes more competitive. He will be his only aim on Friday. In the second half, captain Hassan Al Haydos was seem- clinical hit from a long range to is young, he is 180cm (in height) “Japan have played very well ingly hit by a water bottle when the Qatar captain fired his score Qatar’s second goal in the and that’s a good size,” the popular in the tournament. They played side’s third goal. Even UAE players urged Qatari players not first half, laying foundation for the coach said after Qatar defeated very well to beat Iran in the first to overdo with the celebrations sensing the disgusting famous victory. My performance is a Saudi Arabi 2-0 in their last group semi-final,” said Almoez. behaviour of the home fans. It was Almoez’s eighth goal in result of teamwork. I match. “Our win against UAE is also In the dying seconds, substitute Hamid Ismail made it 4-0 for Qatar. the tournament – a record am very proud to play “The objective of this kid is to big but now all our focus will be equalling tally in Asia’s premier play. If Qatar wants him to be on winning the final against a After the final whistle, Qatar players were urged to quietly event. my role for my country. better, then they need him to be tough side,” the star striker move into the team locker-room whereas Qatar coach Another goal in Friday’s final I don’t have individual playing in a better league. He is an added. Sanchez went about for quick handshakes with the UAE against Japan will take the feared goals as I want to play important player. He needs to go Qatar will enter the final players. striker ahead of Iranian legend to a competitive league and not without conceding a single goal Qatar, who had never gone beyond the quarter-finals , who scored eight goals my part and win big playing all the time. That’s the from their six consecutive victories of the Asian Cup, will now meet Japan in the final of the in the 1996 edition of the titles for Qatar. balance you have to find,” he in which they scored a total of 16 tournament set for Friday. tournament. added. goals. What happened at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium

Fans attending the semi-final boo when Qatar’s national anthem was played at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium before the kickoff. Boualem Khoukhi opens the scoring in the 22nd minute and UAE fans start hurling water bottles at Qatar players celebrating the goal. Almoez Ali fires Qatar’s second goal in the 37th minute and more bottles and sandals are thrown at the players. After the third goal by Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos in the 81st minute, midfielder Salem Al Hajri is hit on the head with a bottle missile. UAE defender Ismail Ahmed is shown the red card in stoppage time for an elbow on Al Hajri and more tensions are witnessed at the stadium that has attracted more than 38,000 fans. Qatari captain Hassan Al Haydos goes UAE’s goalkeeper Khalid Eisa picks up After the final whistle, Qatar players are urged to leave the pitch with quick handshakes as down holding his head after being hit sandals thrown by the crowd after Almoez hostile fans vent frustration at UAE’s poor performance. by a water bottle. Ali scored the second goal for Qatar.

Fans throw bottles and flip-flops at the pitch as players take evasive action during the AFC Asian Cup semi-final at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, yesterday. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Triumph in Abu Dhabi as Al Annabi storm into Asian Cup final

Jubilant Qatari players celebrate their 4-0 victory over UAE at the end of the AFC Asian Cup semi-final, played at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Qatar overcame a hostile crowd atmosphere to set up a title clash with four-time champions Japan.

Qatar crush UAE ARMSTRONG VAS disappointed fans threw water Hamid Ismail (second right) celebrates after scoring Qatar’s fourth goal with team- THE PENINSULA bottles and slippers at the Qatari mates during the Asian Cup semi-