Hosts Qatar held as Khribin’s late stunner snatches Syria a point

DOHA: Omar Khribin smashed a sensational late equaliser with a powerful strike from outside the box to earn Syria a dramatic 1 1 draw against hosts Qa...

DOHA: Omar Khribin smashed a sensational late equaliser with a powerful strike from outside the box to earn Syria a dramatic 1-1 draw against hosts Qatar at Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.

The draw leaves Qatar’s Arab Cup hopes hanging by a thread. With just one point from two matches, they must now beat Tunisia by a big margin in their final group game on Sunday and hope the other result go their way. Palestine and Syria, both leading Group A with four points, face off in a simultaneous match.

After an opening defeat to Palestine, Qatar sought goals relentlessly and substitute Ahmed Alaaeldin finally handed them the lead in the 77th minute, sending the passionate home crowd into ecstasy. But Khribin crushed their joy in the 90th minute with a stunning, unstoppable strike from outside the box, securing a point for Syria.

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui made several changes to the starting line-up, and the Asian champions would have emerged victorious had they converted the chances they created. 

The home side dominated the match, particularly in attack. They came out firing, immediately pushing Syria back in search of an early breakthrough. Mohammed Waad tried a long-range effort but sent it over the bar, while goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham - starting in place of Mahmoud Abunada - displayed sharp reflexes to cut out a dangerous Syrian counter and block a threatening cross.