Qatar's forward player Almoez Ali scored two crucial goals in the game against Saudi Arabia, ensuring a valuable win that gives Qatar the top spot in Group E of the Asian Cup.

Iran Press/Middle East: Earlier in the first half, a penalty kick for the Qatari team almost scored, but Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais dived in for a perfect save.

Qatar also scored a goal in the 59th minute of the game that was not allowed by the referee, according to an AFC report.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar met at the Asian Cup on Thursday in Abu Dhabi in the Asian Cup Group E.

The match will decide who finishes top of the group with both sides already qualified having taken a maximum of six points from their previous two games.

While Qatar have never gone further than the quarter-finals, Saudi Arabia are one of the continent’s traditional football powers, winning the Asian Cup three times and playing five World Cups.

Both sides said on Wednesday they were focused on the game, not politics.

“It will be like any other game for us,” Saudi Arabian forward Fahad al-Muwallad told reporters. “We only think about the pitch,” he said.

Group E’s winner will face Japan or Uzbekistan from Group F in the knockout stage and the runner-up meets Iran or Iraq. 103 / 211

 

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