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Brazilian Rodrigo Tabata punished Umm Salal’s wastefulness with dramatic extra-time goal to earn Al Sadd a place in the final of the QNB Cup here yesterday.
The 33-year-old midfielder struck in the sixth minute of extra time as Al Sadd registered a 3-2 win at the Al Arabi stadium.
Hussein Ammota’s side took a deserved lead through Abdulaziz Rashid Ansari in the 28th minute as they enjoyed 70 percent of the possession in the first-half. But they failed to keep the lead as Brazilian striker Evraldo de Pereira levelled the scores in the 53rd minute when he headed a dipping cross pass from captain Othman Elassas from the left into the net.
The Qatar Stars League champions were held 1-1 by the bottom-placed QSL club at the end of regulation. Al Sadd, who were playing without injured captain Raul and star player Khalfan Ibrahim, missed a string of chances but looked poised to coast into the final.
In the first minute of extra-time Saleh Badr al-Yazidi scored for the Al Sadd, but their joy was short-lived as Abdulaziz netted a fine goal in a counterattack within the minute.
And after missing two easy chances to score — one went straight to the goalkeeper and other slammed into the post — Tabata slotted home powerfully from close range to hand Al Sadd a thrilling win.
“The win would be a significant boost to our chances in the forthcoming league matches. There have been some good performances throughout, the match,” Tabata said after the match.
“It’s a good win, it’s not in the league but it gives us momentum and keeps our season alive. We were playing an aggressive game, but Al Salal players counterattacked us and scored some quick goals to destroy our strategy. But the way we played in extra-time gives us belief, which is massive for the squad.”
Coach Amotta credited the team who were missing key players Raul and Khalfan.
“It was good win for us considering we were playing without Raul and Khalfan. We all know Tabata is a class player and I think he has shown today why he has considered a fine player,” the Moroccan said.
“We are now looking for the final and hopefully we will have another good game and will win the Cup,” he added.
The familiar issues of profligacy in attack and carelessness at the back returned to haunt Umm Salal as they lost the match after putting up a good show in the tournament.
Their coach Bulent Uygun acknowledged his side need to overcome these worrying traits that have undermined them all season.
“We were in a good position in the first half of the match but we failed to keep the momentum at the crucial stage of the game. We played good football in the tournament and hope we will keep improving in the coming league matches,” Uygun said.
Emad Aziz al-Shamari, who impressed in front of the Umm Salal goalpost, felt his team missed the chance for a good win. “We have some positives from the game but I think we need to produce an improved performance in the remaining season,” the 34-year-old goalkeeper said.
Today, defending champions El Jaish will face a stern test as they meet Qatar Sports Club in the second semi. QSC are aiming to salvage something from a mediocre season that sees them languishing in the eighth position in the QSL standings.
The final of the QNB Cup will take place on March 15.