AFC U-19 Championship-Syria advanced to the quarter-finals

The U-19 Syrian national team  advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship despite losing 2-1 to Qatar as Group D reached its conclusion on Thursday.

Qatar took the lead against the run of play a minute from the interval courtesy of Ahmed Alaeddin, who then doubled his side’s advantage three minutes into the second-half before Syria striker Mahmoud Al Mawas reduced the deficit with a 67th minute penalty.

The defeat proved not to be too detrimental to Syria as Saudi Arabia’s drawing 1-1 with Australia in the other Group D match kicking-off simultaneously over in Ras Al Khaimah seeing the Syrians finish second in the standings behind the Young Socceroos.

The first chance of the match came the way of the Syrians with four minutes played but Omar Kharbin’s header was easily gathered by Qatar keeper Muhannad Naim.

Syria dominated possession with Qatar’s well-organised defence limited their chances on goal until the half-hour mark when Naim made hard work of Al Mawas’ shot from outside the area before Khaled Al Mbayed headed just wide following a 40th minute free-kick from the left.

But against the run of play it was Qatar, who had nothing but pride to play for after losing their first two matches, who took the lead when Alaaeddin converted Abdelkarim Hassan’s dangerous cross from the left with 60 seconds of the first-half remaining.

Syria sought to get back into the game as quickly as possible and just one minute after the restart with Naim clearing the danger after an Al Mawas free-kick reached Kharbin.

Qatar responded two minutes later with their second goal and again it came from Alaaeddin when he flicked the ball in to the Syria net following Ahmed Yasser’s cross from the left.

Syria’s hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a blow in the 61st minute when Moayad Al Khouli was sent off after receiving a second yellow card before Qatar defender Ahmed Yasser cleared the danger after Samer Salem had only Naim to beat.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Syria reduced the deficit in the 67th minute when Al Mawas confidently converted from the penalty spot after Yasser had handled Abd Alelah Hfean.

Alaaeddin and Al Mawas both had further chances but the score remained 2-1 in favour of Syria, who squeezed into the quarter-finals ahead of Saudi Arbia.