Iraq’s futsal players thrash Qatar 4-0, qualify to Asia finals

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq’s futsal team reserved a foothold in the Asia finals to be hosted in Uzbekistan next year after defeating Qatar 4-0 in their semi-final encounter in Doha on Saturday. The first half was monotonous on either side as the Qatari players opted for safety in numbers in the defense and managed to have a clean sheet, but the Iraqis showed their teeth in the second half and showered the Qatari net with four goals, scored by Mostafa Bijay in the 4th and 16th minutes, Hashem Khaled in the 16th and Karrar Mohsen just seconds before the referee blew his end whistle. The Qatari team had two chances to score but Iraq’s goalkeeper Oteil Khalil overdid himself as to save a penalty kick while another one went astray. AmR (P)/SR 1