HISTORY: Qatar snatch first-ever WC point
by Kickoff Reporter · KickOffQatar secured their first-ever point at the FIFA World Cup finals following a late 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B on Saturday evening.
Fixture: Qatar v Switzerland
Score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Embolo (17') / Khoukhi (94')
The host of the last edition returned for only their second ever tournament and looked for their first win in the showpiece, while the Swiss participated in their sixth successive campaign and exited in the last 16 of the last three World Cup finals.
Qatar could’ve gone ahead in the first minute of the match when mis-control of possession by Manuel Akanji presented Edmilson Junior a clear chance to find the far corner of the net, but Gregor Kobel got down and smothered the threat.
The Swiss responded decisively in 17th minute and took the lead through a composed penalty by Breel Embolo after Remo Freuler was clattered into by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada.
Having the front-foot and momentum, the Swiss went searching for a second before the hydration break with a one-two on the edge of the area by Embolo and Denis Zakaria, but Abunada pulled out a stop.
The Maroon penetrated again late in the half when a low telling pass from the right picked out rolled in the box for Edmilson, but the young attacker once again failed to get the better of Kobel.
Second Half:
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka almost lit up the stadium with a trademark scorcher outside the area earlier in the second half and nearly doubled their lead, but the effort shaved the top corner of the net.
Coach Murat Yakin made a double substitution in refreshing their stall midway in the second half and had Johan Manzimbi come on for Ndoye before Fabian Rieder filled in for Michel Aebischer.
Qatar provided little as the half went by and the Swiss came close to a second when Manzimbi came short to slip in a through pass to the near side for Embolo, but the latter tucked wide of the mark with Abunada out of his area.
The Maroon though stole a point deep in stoppage time after Boualem Khoukhi rose high at the back-post to head in a cross from Homam El Amin, and all square it finished.
Next Fixtures:
Qatar:
1. Canada
2. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Switzerland:
1. Bosnia & Herzegovina
2. Canada