Qatar’s hopes hit after 2-0 defeat to Kuwait

Action from the Qatar-Kuwait match in an Asian under-22 qualifier in Malaysia yesterday

Qatar’s hopes of playing the under-22 Asian Cup next year suffered a major setback when they crashed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kuwait at Hang Jebat Stadium here yesterday.
Midfielders Hamad al-Harbi (35) and Shareeda al-Shareeda (83) were on target as Kuwait leapfrogged Qatar on the points table in Group C to be comfortably placed in second spot on nine points.
Iran are on top with 12 points, having won all their four matches in Group C so far.
Qatar needed to beat Kuwait, or at least secure a point to stay in contention for a spot in the tournament proper but Alain Perrin’s side were clearly outplayed by the Kuwaitis yesterday
They have six points with two wins and two losses from four games and even a victory against Tajikistan tomorrow may not be enough for them to push Kuwait off the second spot as they are expected to rout Maldives in their last group match and take their tally to 12. Yesterday, Bahrain beat Maldives 2-1, while Iran defeated Tajikistan 2-0.
Last Saturday, Qatar beat Maldives 2-0 before going down to Iran 1-2 on Monday. Three days later on Thursday, Qatar fought past Bahrain with a 1-0 scoreline.
The top two teams in each of the seven groups qualify for the finals to be held in January 2014.