DOHA: Hassan Al Haydos’ goal-of-the-tournament contender earned Qatar a 1-0 win over China PR in their final Group A clash of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2022 at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday as the hosts all-but eliminated Aleksandar Jankovic’s side from the competition.
The Qatari captain came off the bench to smash a spectacular volley from 20 yards past the helpless Yan Junling in the 66th minute and maintain the much-changed defending champions’ perfect start to the campaign and stretch their winning run to 10 matches.
Jankovic’s side needed a win to be certain of advancing to the last 16 but, after failing to find the back of the net in their opening games against Tajikistan and Lebanon, the Chinese once again misfired in attack with their fate now out of their hands.