Qatar players celebrate after defeating Bahrain to qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Late strikes from Al Hashmi Al Hussain and Jassim Al Sharshani powered Qatar to a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Bahrain, sealing their place in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals in style yesterday.
After Abdulrahman Sami Al Khayyat gave the visitors the lead in the 71st minute, Qatar struck twice in stoppage time despite being reduced to 10 men following a red card to Ayoub Mohamed Al Ouwi at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
The victory meant Al Annabi topped Group H in the qualifiers, racking up nine points from three wins, only giving away two goals in contrast to 17 scored.
India finished second in the group with six points from two wins, but despite defeating Brunei 6-0 in the earlier match, failed to advance after finishing fifth among the group runners -up.
Having already led the group, Qatar entered yesterday's match as favourites, but Bahrain proved to be a formidable opponent, managing to keep Qatar scoreless at halftime.
The visitors broke the deadlock when Al Khayyat struck in the 71st minute, putting Qatar's qualification hopes in jeopardy.
However, almost when it looked like the game was heading towards an upset, the hosts regrouped to rally in the final moments.
Al Hussain levelled the scores in the first minute of added time, breathing new life into his team. Just four minutes later, Qatar were reduced to 10 men after Al Ouwi received a red card.
But, Qatar fought back, making full use of a penalty in the ninth minute of added time. Al Sharshani made the conversion to seal a thrilling victory which confirmed their place in the finals.
Earlier, at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, India secured their big win thanks to a hat-trick from Vibin Mohanan and a brace from Mohammed Aimen.
Ayush Chhetri also netted one as India inflicted more misery on Brunei, who concluded the qualifying campaign without scoring a single goal.
Brunei finished fourth in the group, conceding 29 goals in three matches in Doha.
Mohanan opened India’s goal account early in the fifth minute, converting Muhammed Suhail’s cutback before doubling his tally three minutes later after Brunei keeper Khairul Hisyam misjudged the bounce of the ball.
India scored their third in the 42nd minute after Chhetri exchanged neat passes with Sreekuttan Manikuttan before drilling the ball home. Brunei fell further behind in the second half with Mohanan completing his hat-trick in the 62nd minute with a perfect free-kick. Aimen added their fifth in the 87th minute. Aimen netted India’s sixth goal in second-half stoppage time with a neat strike from distance to complete the massive victory.
Qatar will now join group winners Syria, South Korea, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Jordan, hosts Saudi Arabia and the top four runners-up China, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and UAE at the U-23 Asian Cup which will January 7-25 next year.
