DOHA (Qatar): Akram Afif scored a late penalty goal as reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar escaped with a 1-0 win over Afghanistan on Tuesday.
But Afghanistan missed a first-half penalty in their Group E match after Omran Haydary saw his shot saved by Saad Al Sheeb.
Qatar remained unbeaten in their first five qualifiers and sit atop with 13 points while Afghanistan remain on four points with three games left in the second phase of qualifying.
Felix Sanchez’s side were never allowed to settle down by the Afghans who pressed the Asian champions from the front.
Playing in front of a sizeable crowd in the Tajikistan capital, Afghanistan looked the more likely to score in the early exchanges.
Farshad Noor came close to capitalising on a mistake by Tarek Salman, when the defender’s clearance was fired back with interest, only to shoot over the bar.
Almoez Ali should have done better seconds later at the other end, only to slice his attempt off target after being played in on goal by his strike partner Yusuf Abdurisag as Qatar laboured.
Salman was again involved in the 29th minute when Milad Intezar’s attempt at goal hit the defender on the hand and referee Timur Faizullin had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Haydary’ s weak attempt, though, was gathered by Al Sheeb as he dropped to his left. (the-AFC.com)
