Asian Cup: Wins for Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Saudi Arabia went top of Group C in their 2015 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with victory over China in Dammam.

The Chinese came into the game without a win in five, while Saudi Arabia had only won one of their past four.

It was the home side who took the lead after 23 minutes, Fahd Al Muwallad latching onto a through ball to slot home.

That sparked China into action and after rattling the crossbar, they levelled things up.

The ball fell to Zhao Xuri on the edge of the penalty area and he restored parity.

Saudi Arabia were back in the lead in the second half, Naif Hazazi vollying home 13 minutes from time.

China could have equalised late on but Waleed Abdullah in the Saudi Arabia goal was up to the challenge.

Qatar defeated Malaysia 2-0 in Doha with both goals coming in the second half.

There was a touch of good fortune about Khalfan Ibrahim’s free kick but that didn’t matter to the 24-year-old, despite replays showing the ball took a deflection off the wall.

Qatar continued to pile on the pressure as they looked to make the game safe.

First Malaysian goalkeeper Khairul Che Mat, and then the post, kept the visitors in the match.

The hosts eventually doubled their advantage in stoppage time, Yousef Ahmad slotting home.

Qatar are second in Group D, level on points with Bahrain.