Qatar First Qualifier for Asian Cup with Win over Bhutan

Thimphu, November 17 (QNA) - Qatar's national football team became the first qualifier for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in UAE after booking a berth in the finals thanks to a 3-0 away win over Bhutan on Tuesday. The win means The Maroon also qualify for the third and final round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as Mohammed Muntari scored once and Hassan Al Haidos added a brace to ensure the qualification came in style. The three points took Qatar's toll to 18 on top of the group to extend The Maroon's unbeaten run in the campaign. Hong Kong are second on 14 points from seven games and China in third place on 11 points from six games. The Maldives who were absent from this round have 3 points in fourth place while Bhutan continue to sit bottom without any points. Group winners and the best four runners-up qualify directly to the Asian finals and the final stage of the 2018 Russia World Cup. The remaining 24 teams play another round of qualifications for the Asian finals with 11 teams reaching the finals while the remaining place is for the host nation. UAE finals will be the first Asian Cup to see the participation of 24 countries. The Maroon's qualification was confirmed following the draw between Hong Kong and China in the game that was held at the same time in Hong Kong, a result that meant both sides can't claim the top spot that guarantees automatic qualification for the Asian Cup and the final stage of World Cup qualifiers. (QNA)