Qatar lose 3-0 to Australia in friendly

Detailed summary

Doha: Qatar lost 3 0 to Australia in a friendly match at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium today as part of both teams preparations for upcoming competiti...

Doha: Qatar lost 3-0 to Australia in a friendly match at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium today as part of both teams’ preparations for upcoming competitions.

Australia took a lead in the fifth minute when Riley McGree capitalized on a misplaced pass from Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, intercepting the ball before slotting it into the net. Kusini Yengi doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, latching onto a pass behind the defensive line and firing a shot to the goalkeeper’s right.

Nestory Irankunda added a third in the 40th minute, capitalizing on another defensive error to drive a low shot to the Qatar goalkeeper's right. Australia went into the half-time break with a 3-0 lead.

Qatar's coach Julen Lopetegui made six substitutions after the break in an attempt to change the course of the match and restore balance to his side. Qatar showed signs of improvement in the second half but were unable to find a breakthrough, and Australia secured a 3-0 victory.

Qatar will continue their preparations with another friendly against South Korea next Tuesday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Peninsula. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.