Dubai: Qatar recorded their maiden win in the AFC Futsal Championship as the debutants recorded a 6-3 win over Korea Republic in an academic match played at Al Shabab Club Stadium on Sunday.
Debutant Qatar will be leaving with their head held high as the entertaining affair was their historical win in the continent.
Amro Mohssein Abdelaal, who missed out first two matches due to suspension showed what he is worth off as he created a goal in the 7th minute for Shalem Khalifa and later wrote his name in the scoresheet in the 21st minute.
Korea hit back with a lucky deflection goal which was given as an own goal off Muneer Mohammad, but Qatar players ensured that they go home with at least something to cheer about.
Muneer, Saad Bilal, Rashid Yousuf and Ali Al Sabah also scored a goal apiece before Korea pegged back two through Kim Min-kuk and power-player Kim Jenognam.
Qatar came in the tournament with expectations high given their form in the West Zone Qualifier which they had won beating Kuwait in the final. In contrast, after sipping in 26 goals in three matches in the championship, the road ahead for Korea Republic is challenging.
“Today’s match showed there are talents in our squad but we need to work on our defence as well as qualities so I hope in next two years time we work on those particular areas and come stronger and start giving a real challenge to our opponents,” Korea coach Lee Chang-hwan told www.the-afc.com.
Lee’s counterpart Abdel Benaim also hailed the historic victory stressing that though the match was an academic contest, there were lot up for grabs.
“This victory will spur people back in Qatar and Qatar Football Association to look at the chances of Qatar’s futsal development,” he said. The Al Gharafa coach, who took the charge of the national futsal team just few weeks ago, believe that importance must be given at the grassroots level to develop futsal in Qatar and all West Asian countries.
“Despite having facilities, we start very late in the West Asia, but if like Europe and Brazil we start from the very young, there will be chances for them to grow a talented player who can wins cups for the country,” Abdel, who had played futsal in Spain league, added.