Qatar Seals AFC U23 Asian Cup Spot with Dramatic Comeback

Qatar has secured its place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, set to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7-25, 2026, following a thrilling 2-1 victory over Bahrain. The match, held on Tuesday at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, featured a dramatic turnaround, with Qatar clinching the win through a penalty awarded in the ninth minute of added time.

Despite facing a setback when Bahrain took the lead with a goal from Abdulrahman Sami Al Khayyat in the 71st minute, Qatar displayed remarkable resilience. The team, which had been reduced to ten players after a red card to Ayoub Mohamed Al Ouwi, rallied to score two late goals courtesy of Al Hashmi Al Hussain and Jassim Al Sharshani.

Team Spirit Drives Qatar’s Success

Striker Mubarak Shanan emphasized the importance of the team’s fighting spirit in their qualifying campaign, which saw them win all three matches. “It was difficult to face the strong Bahrain team, but we were able to defeat them and qualify for the Asian Cup,” Shanan stated after the match. He noted the challenges both teams faced leading up to the final moments.

Shanan also appreciated the tactical guidance from the coaching staff, saying, “The atmosphere was tough, but we were confident in the coach’s instructions, and we played in the right way. We came out with full marks.”

Fellow teammate Mohammed Siraj, who played a crucial role by scoring in all three Group H matches, reflected on the physical and mental challenges of playing three matches in one week. “The match was difficult because we were playing three matches in one week. We knew about the fatigue and pressure on us, but we finished it with a score of 2-1,” Siraj explained.

Recognition of Team Effort

The win was attributed to a collective team effort, as highlighted by Abdulaziz Mohammed, who stated, “Everyone gave their all. We played with one heart as one team, from the goalkeeper to the striker, and the substitutes did not fall short.” This sentiment underscores the unity and determination that characterized Qatar’s performance throughout the qualifiers.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, Bahrain’s Mubarak Mohammed acknowledged Qatar’s achievement. “Congratulations to the Qatari team. They put on a great match. We also put on a great match, but I think we lost focus at the end,” he commented.

With this victory, Qatar now awaits the draw for the AFC U23 Asian Cup, looking to join ten other group winners, four top runners-up, and the host nation, Saudi Arabia, in the upcoming tournament.