Qatar forward Almoez Ali’s scoring streak at Asian Cup 2019 continued with a brace against Saudi Arabia to earn a 2-0 win.
Ali made it six strikes in three Group E fixtures when he profited from a collapse in communication between the Green Falcons centre-backs during first-half injury time. This followed a saved penalty from skipper Hassan Al Haydos moments prior, with the influential Ali that time being brought down by Ali Al Bulaihi.
The 22-year-old then rose unopposed in the 80th minute to head in a corner from midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem, making it a leading seventh strike for the tournament.
The Saudis had dominated the early stages and false 9 Fahad Al Muwallad rocked the base of the post. Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men, however, could not conjure a leveller and they now face a grandstand clash with record-four-time champions Japan in the round of 16, while the Qataris play Iraq.
