Moustafa mashal

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia: Asian Cup champions Qatar proved too hot to handle for Igor Stimac’s India as the Blue Tigers went down 0-3 in their second match of the Joint Qualification campaign for FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, here on Tuesday.

Moustafa Mashal (4’), Almoez Ali (46’) and Yusuf Abdurisag (85’) scored the three goals for Qatar while the profligate Indians missed chances as Anirudh Thapa and substitute Sahal Abdul Samad fluffed two clear chances.

Stimac made five changes to the starting line-up that defeated Kuwait in the first match, but it couldn’t stop Qatar from snatching all three points in their away match. Amrinder Singh, who replaced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal, wasn’t at his best on Tuesday.