Asian Cup: Qatar 3 Kuwait 0

Qatar booked their spot in the Asian Cup quarter-finals after a 3-0 win over Kuwait in Doha on Sunday.

The host nation looked like they would fail to qualify from the group stage after a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan in the opening match of the tournament but successive victories over China and Kuwait secured their place in the last eight.

Goals to Bilal Mohammed and Mohammed Al Sayed in the first 20 minutes set up the victory before substitute Fabio Montezine wrapped up the rout with an unstoppable free-kick in the dying stages.

Qatar manager Bruno Metsu made no change to the side that outplayed China, while Kuwait made three changes, with Ahmad Al Rashidi, Saleh Al Shaikh and the impressive Waleed Ali replacing Fawad Awadh Shaheen, Jarah Al Ataiqi and Yousef Naser in the starting line-up.

Metsu’s side began with a point to prove in front of more than 28,000 passionate fans and they could have opened the scoring inside two minutes when striker Sebastian Soria was presented with a free header.

Yousef Ahmad, who scored both goals against China, broke from his own half and went on a scorching run before releasing Soria, who could not get his shot away.

The warning signs were already there for Kuwait and Lawrence Quaye was the next to go close, as his 25-yard free-kick was well tipped over by Kuwait goalkeeper Nawaf Al Khaldy.

But after a series of corners, the opening goal finally came after 11 minutes.

A clever cross from the industrious Soria was met by Mohammed who rose above the pack to score with a glancing header that was too hot for Al Khlady to handle.

Qatar doubled the lead just five minutes later as Al Sayed scored a delightful finish when he curled the ball around the scrambling Kuwait defenders and into the back of the net from 12 yards.

Kuwait made a rare meaningful foray forward when they appealed for a penalty after 52 minutes as Bader Al Mutwa and Ibrahim Majid came together in the area.

Kuwait were limited to shooting from distance as Qatar sat back and protected their lead before producing a knockout blow with five minutes remaining.

Montezine stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and produced a sublime piece of skill, as he curled the ball with his left foot around the wall and left Al Khaldy stranded.