13 Jan 2019
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 13 January. Aspire graduate and Qatar national team striker, Almoez Ali put DPR Korea to the sword with a four-goal blitz on Sunday afternoon as Qatar won 6-0 and progressed to the last 16 with a match to spare at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. The win moves coach Felix Sanchez’s side to the top of the Group E standings on six (6) points. The second group match for Qatar was played at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Graduate and Al Duhail striker, Almoez also shot up front as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals in two games. Fellow Aspire graduates namely Akram Afif and Abdelkarim Hasan (scorer of the 6th goal) shone in partnership with Almoez to destroy the DPR Korea
The other Qatar goal was scored by Boualem Khoukhi. Victory means Sanchez’s side have secured themselves a top two finish in the group and their win also ensures Saudi Arabia will progress to the last 16. The teams face off on Thursday to determine who will top the group, with Qatar’s huge win meaning a draw in Abu Dhabi will be enough to take pole position.
Qatar had a brisk start in the match against DPR Korea and within nine minutes the Al Annabi were in front as Afif glided past Sim Hyon Jin before delivering a low cross to Almoez that he controlled with his right before stroking past Ri Myong Guk with his left. Two minutes later and Qatar doubled their lead, with the threat this time coming down the right. Hassan’s sweeping ball found Hassan Al Haydos, the Qatar captain, and his low centre gave Almoez the perfect opportunity to strike from close range. The Aspire graduate’s shooting boots were certainly hot on the day as he was yet again clinical, netting for the third time in the tournament.
Qatar refused to relent as they sought to boost their goal difference ahead of their crucial meeting with Saudi Arabia, with Almoez completing his hat trick 10 minutes into the second half with an easy finish after Afif’s perfectly weighted through ball. The 22-year-old added further misery for DPR Korea five minutes later when he linked up again with Afif, who led a rapid-fire counterattack for the Qataris before rolling the ball through to Ali and he smashed his shot across Ri Myung Guk and inside the far post. On 68th minute Ali turned provider setting a through pass to Hassan who ran through the DPR Korea defence and slot home Qatar’s sixth.