Qatar Under-23 team overcame Bahrain 4-2 in penalties to finish 11th at the Toulon International Football Tournament in Southern France yesterday. The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
Bahrain went ahead in the 28th minute courtesy Salem Adel Hassan’s strike, but Qatar fought back in the second half and equalised through substitute Khalid Muneer Mazeed in the 67th minute as the game went to penalties. In the penalties, Qatar players held their nerves and converted four of the five penalties, while Bahrain were only successful in finding the net twice. Qatar had lost all their group matches against France, Guatemala and Brazil.
The tournament was an opportunity for Qatar to prepare for next year’s AFC U-23 World Cup in Thailand, which is a qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Qatar players celebrate after winning their match against Bahrain in Toulon, Southern France.
