Football : Qatar's great vicotry over China

Qatar came from behind to beat China 3-2 in their World Cup Asian zone group A play-off match yesterday.

The defeat virtually eliminates China's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup final.

The match was watched by tens of thousands of Qataris back in Qatar with enthusiasm and eagerness. In the stadium, the number is estimated at around 30000 people.

In the beginning of the match, one could see that the weather conditions were affecting the performance of Qatari players who are not used to such low temperatures. But they slowly overcame that obstacle and won the match against one of the first football giants in history.

Striker Gao Feng put the home side ahead in the 22nd minute but Qatar equalised just before half-time through 19-year-old Dahi Saad al-Naemi.

Mohamed Salem al-Enazi put the visitors 2-1 up in the 55th minute and Zamel Essa al-Kuwari made it 3-1 five minutes later, capitalising on a mistake by Chinese Ma Mingyu.

China pulled one back in the 82nd minute through defender Fan Zhiyi, who blasted home from inside the area after a pass from Xie Feng but Qatar held on to win.

"We failed to take advantage when we led 1-0. The players were not quick and responsive enough," said Chinese head coach Qi Wusheng. "In the second half we lost our composure," Qi added. Qatar's victory kept their slim hopes of qualifying alive.

"I told my players during the break that we would definitely win the match. I said as long as we press the Chinese hard enough, we would snatch victory," said Qatar coach Jamal Hajae.

There is no doubt this victory is indeed a great achievement for Qatar, whose total Qatari population does not exceed two hundred thousand people, more than ten times less than the number of professional football players in China , which is estimated at around two million players.