Qatar Secures U-23 Asian Cup Spot with Thrilling Comeback Win

Qatar’s U-23 football team clinched a spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7-25, 2026. The team achieved this milestone with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bahrain during their final qualifying match on Tuesday. The victory came after a penalty kick in the ninth minute of added time, underscoring the team’s resilience throughout the qualifying campaign.

In this decisive match held at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Qatar faced a challenging scenario after Bahrain took the lead with a goal from Abdulrahman Sami Al Khayyat in the 71st minute. Despite being reduced to ten men due to a red card issued to Ayoub Mohamed Al Ouwi, Qatar rallied back with goals from Al Hashmi Al Hussain and Jassim Al Sharshani in stoppage time to secure their dramatic comeback.

Players Reflect on Their Journey

Striker Mubarak Shanan expressed pride in the team’s fighting spirit. “It was difficult to face the strong Bahrain team, but we were able to defeat them and qualify for the Asian Cup,” he said after the match. Shanan emphasized that the atmosphere of the game was intense, yet the players remained confident in their coach’s tactics, leading them to a perfect qualifying record of three wins in as many matches.

Teammate Mohammed Siraj, who played a vital role by scoring in each of the three group matches, acknowledged the physical and mental challenges faced by the squad. “The match was difficult because we were playing three matches in one week. This is how the game goes. We knew about the fatigue and pressure on us, but we finished it with a score of 2-1,” he stated.

Abdulaziz Mohammed highlighted the collective effort that characterized their success. “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,” he said, reflecting on the unity displayed by the squad.

Bahrain Acknowledges Qatari Strength

Despite the disappointment of a narrow loss, Bahraini player Mubarak Mohammed offered congratulations to the Qatari team for their performance. “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 remarked, acknowledging the competitive nature of the game.

With this victory, Qatar now awaits the draw for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, where they will join ten other group winners, four top runners-up, and host nation Saudi Arabia in the 16-team tournament. The excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament reflects the growing strength of Qatar’s football program, as they continue to make their mark on the Asian stage.