AsianCup2023 | Group A : Qatar 1 - 0 China PR

Hosts and defending champions Qatar have already qualified from Group A after two wins, meaning they will finish top. China PR have had two goalless draws so far and know a win will take them through. A draw may also be enough depending on the result between Tajikistan and Lebanon. Qatar boss Marques Lopez names a much-changed line-up with the likes of Afif dropping to the bench, so it's a chance for Ahmed Ala to shine up front. China have shaken things up with Wu Lei dropping to the bench. Wei Shihao and Lin Liangming come in to add to the creativity. Tense moments coming into this match as China push forward from the off. Seven minutes here as the ball is played through for Zhang Yuning. The cutback and the shot fired in by Wei Shihao. It's just wide of the target. Big early chance for China. A lovely constructed move but wide of the targets. Qatar just starting to work their way into the game now. A corner here and it's patient play from them as Abdelaziz Hatem gets the ball and tries to curl one towards the top corner. It's just over the bar. 17 minutes gone and a very even match so far. 35th minute again with few chances but China coming forward down the right-hand side. This is a well-worked move again for them as Wei Shihao is through on goal and it's a wonderful, wonderful stop from Saad Al-Sheib. One of the best stops so far in the tournament. It's absolutely remarkable to deny Wei Shihao. The 43rd minute and a long throw here. As it's poor defending from China here. They can't clear their lines and Khalid Munir volleys towards goal. He didn't quite catch it properly and that sends it over the bar. Into stoppage time and China really pressing now as the ball comes across the six-yard area. Zhang Yuning can't quite stretch enough to get a touch on it as the play continues. The ball is back in again and Wei Shihao, it was a free header. He has to test the keeper from there but it's over the bar. It's goalless going in at the break as it is in the match between Tajikistan and Lebanon. So China second in the group as it stands. Drama though in the other matches. Lebanon take the lead early in the second period. The onus now on China to take the initiative but it's Qatar who come forward and the long ranger is just wide from Khalid Munir. China just struggling to get a foothold in the game in this second half as Afif has a quarter in the 66th minute. He'll drill it towards the edge of the box here for Al Haidas to hit one and what a goal that is! 1-0 to Qatar and surely we've just seen goal of the tournament. Hitting it full on the volley from the corner and the two subs combining to put Qatar ahead. The pressure really on China. PR now as we see Wu Lei coming on a sub and trying to spark them but he shoots well off target. Tajikistan now level with Lebanon in the other match as we go into the final stages. The ball is looped back into the area here for China and the chance is finished off by Jiang Shanlong but it won't count as the ball was already out of play. Still no goals scored for China as at full time it's 1-0 to Qatar. Al Haidas' wonder goal means they cruise through to the round of 16 with maximum points. China PR really sweating on their place as Tajikistan one late on against Lebanon. Will two points be enough to see them through?