Qatar beat Iraq to keep World Cup hopes alive

DOHA • Hosts Qatar yesterday beat Iraq 2-0 in their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Sheikh Jassim Stadium.

Watched
by a capacity crowd of 18,000, Jorge Fossati-coached Qatar owed thanks
to striker Sebastian Soria and midfielder Fabio Montesin for the win in
the Group 1, Asian Zone qualifying match.

It
was Qatar's first win since their 3-0 loss to Australia on February 6.
Also yesterday, Australia played a 0-0 draw against China, the fourth
team in the group. In what could be described as a dream start, Qatar
raced to 1-0 lead on the sixth touch after kick-off to send the huge
crowd into delirious celebration.

With
the match barely into the first minute, unmarked Montesin grabbed a
loose ball on the right flank and quickly chipped in a neat swerving
pass to Soria, who managed the gentlest of touches on the ball which
went into the far side of Iraq goalpost.

Qatar
doubled their lead through Fabio in the 67th minute. Marcio Emerson's
free-kick from the edge of the box was blocked by Iraqi defender Jasim
Al Hamad, but the ball rolled nicely to unmarked Fabio, who swiveled
and smartly flicked the ball through the hands of goalkeeper Noor
Hassan. Iraq's next match

is against Australia on June 2

and on the same day Qatar

take on China in an away match.

Source ::: The Peninsula/ BY RIZWAN REHMAT

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