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Qatar rout Pakistan in Asian Cup qualifier

Qatar virtually assured themselves of a berth in the Asian Cup finals to be held in Lebanon in October after trouncing Pakistan 5-0 for their third consecutive victory in the Group 4 qualifier in Doha on Tuesday.

In another match, Jordan scored a 5-1 victory over debutants Palestine.

Qatar are atop the standings with a maximum nine points from three games, followed by Jordan, Kazakhstan and Palestine, who all have three points. Pakistan are at the bottom after losing both their opening games. Palestine have played three matches, Jordan, Kazakhstan and pakistan have played two.

Qatar took an unusually long time to find their rhythm, even though they dominated the hapless Pakistanis from the start. The opening goal came from a 25th minute penalty converted by Yasser Nadmi. After that Qatar were never troubled and slammed in four more through Sahed Al Kuwari (51, 73), Abdul Aziz Hassan (68) and Nadmi, who converted another penalty in the 85th minute.

Jordan made up for their opening defeat to Kazakhstan with their rout of Palestine.

Abudllah Busama (6, 22), Sufiana Abeullah (35) and Basam Al Khateeb (37, 47) all scored while Kaldoun Fahad scored a consolation goal in the 49th minute for Palestine.

Agencies