Muscat, 3 October 2022 - Qatar kicked off their AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Group C campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Iraq at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman.
Iraq enjoyed a dream start to their campaign with forward Ali Akbar Al Darraji giving them the lead in the second minute.
A stung Qatar immediately shifted gears but had to wait till the 28th minute to equalise, and it came with a touch of good fortune as Iraqi defender Kameran Ahmed Khudhair turned the ball into his own net.
Boosted by their leveller, Qatar pressed forward and were rewarded in the 39th minute, with midfielder Khalid Atiyaq Alshaaibi scoring what proved to be the winning goal.
Qatar will aim for their second victory when they play Bahrain on Monday, with hosts Oman to open their campaign against Lebanon.
