Hatim stunner puts Qatar in Asian Cup semis for first time

A magnificent long-range strike from Abdelaziz Hatim took Qatar into the Asian Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history with a 1-0 win over South Korea in Abu Dhabi Friday.Hatim struck with just 12 minutes remaining to settle a scrappy game in which chances were rare.The 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar will now face the UAE in the semi-final on Tuesday.South Korean star Son Heung Min was largely kept quiet by the excellent Qatari defence, who have yet to concede in the tournament, though they had a let-off when Hwang Ui Jo's potential equalizer was disallowed for a marginal offside.Qatar's midfielder Abdelaziz Hatim (C) celebrates his goalThe first semi-final is between record champions Japan and Iran on Monday with the final February 1.In an attritional contest Hatim, who had earlier collected the booking which rules him out of the semi-final, produced a moment of quality to separate the teams.His shot from 30 yards perhaps caught keeper Kim Seung Gyu unaware but hit the bottom corner at tremendous pace.South Korea responded immediately when Hwang turned in Kim Young Gwon's cross but the assistant flagged and the video referee confirmed the decision was correct.Omani fans cheering for QatarCaptain Son and his side could not find another opportunity to level and it was Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi who went closer to the next goal with an acrobatic effort which was well saved.South Korea will more regret Lee Chung Yong somehow missing at the back-post after keeper Saad al-Sheeb misjudged a cross and their inability to get the best out of Son, who often cut a forlorn figure out on the wing.They were also unlucky when Kim Jin Su's free kick hit the post, with the game goalless, when Sheeb looked beaten.A nondescript first half included only one shot on target, an effort from Qatartarget="_blank"'>