Saudi Arabia U23 2:0 Qatar U23: Asian Games Match Result

Match report

Saudi Arabia U23 and Qatar U23 met in the second group match of the Asian Games on 18 September, and the hosts held firm to win 2-0. The result moves Saudi into contention while Qatar, already carrying a defeat, face a difficult path forward. To be fair, the scoreline tells only part of the story about how the game unfolded.

M. Barnawi broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, timing his finish to catch the Qatari defence at its most vulnerable. Qatar responded with pressure but could not find the equaliser before half-time. Saudi Arabia then took control of the tempo, and by then the visitors were starting to look tired.

E. Houssa doubled the lead in the 47th minute, capitalising on a moment of hesitation in the Qatar back line. The goal shifted the match entirely, and Saudi Arabia switched off at a set piece less often as the game progressed. Qatar pushed for a reply but ran out of time, with substitutions coming too late to change the complexion of the contest.

The statistics show Saudi Arabia were not dominant but were far more efficient. They registered 2 shots on target and scored 2 goals, while Qatar managed just 1 shot on target and failed to convert. Possession was close at 48 per cent to 52 per cent, but the difference lay in how each side used their chances. Saudi Arabia also won 19 free kicks compared to Qatar's 15, suggesting they won more duels in midfield.

The result leaves Saudi Arabia in second place with a point to play for, while Qatar sit third after one defeat. We had backed Qatar to win with 65 per cent confidence, but the match broke on efficiency rather than territory. Saudi Arabia gave away too many cheap fouls in the first half, yet held their nerve when it mattered most.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 48 – 52

Shots on target 2 – 1

Shots off target 5 – 5

Attacks 89 – 90

🟨 29' N. Al Yahri — Yellow card ⇄ 34' A. Al Hussain — Substitution ⚽ 38' M. Barnawi — Goal ⚽ 47' E. Houssa — Goal ⇄ 51' B. Eid — Substitution ⇄ 51' M. Gouda — Substitution ⇄ 62' A. Alyuhaybi — Substitution ⇄ 62' S. Dahal — Substitution ⇄ 62' F. Alshamrani — Substitution ⇄ 71' M. Chakeri — Substitution 🟨 81' Z. Abba — Yellow card ⇄ 83' T. Al Khaibri — Substitution ⇄ 83' N. Al Yahri — Substitution 🟨 90+2' Yellow card

Match events

29' 0:0 Qatar U23 Yellow card N. Al Yahri
34' 0:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Substitution A. Al Hussain off: S. Al Yami
38' 1:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Goal M. Barnawi assist: S. Dahal
47' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Goal E. Houssa
51' 2:0 Qatar U23 Substitution B. Eid off: A. Shahabi
51' 2:0 Qatar U23 Substitution M. Gouda off: M. Mohammadtaha
62' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Substitution A. Alyuhaybi off: S. Al Mutairi
62' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Substitution S. Dahal off: Z. Abba
62' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Substitution F. Alshamrani off: A. Al Fawaz
71' 2:0 Qatar U23 Substitution M. Chakeri off: T. Al Qadi
81' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Yellow card Z. Abba
83' 2:0 Saudi Arabia U23 Substitution T. Al Khaibri off: T. Al Ghumayl
83' 2:0 Qatar U23 Substitution N. Al Yahri off: N. Babiker
90+2' 2:0 Qatar U23 Yellow card

Statistics

48 Possession, % 52

2 Shots on target 1

5 Shots off target 5

89 Attacks 90

1 Corners 6

19 Free kicks 15

2 Offsides 2

1 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

6 Goal kicks 4

26 Throw-ins 20

All statistics

1 Blocked shots 2

0.25 Shot accuracy 0.13

Match prediction: Saudi Arabia U23 — Qatar U23

Win: Qatar U23

Confidence 65%

Reasoning

Катар U23 — 3. place, 0 points after 1 games (0 wins, 1 losses)
Саудовская Аравия U23, last 5 games: 2 wins, 3 losses
Катар U23, last 5 games: 0 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses
Head-to-head: 2 games, Саудовская Аравия U23 — 1, 1 draws, Катар U23 — 0

Full prediction

Analytical content. Not a call to gamble. 18+

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