Qatar celebrate Ali Asadalla’s (8) early goal, but that was the only bright spot in the match for them . Picture:  Noushad Thekkayil

Sports Reporter/Doha


Some lacklustre second half defending denied Qatar an upset victory over Turkey in their friendly international at the Lekhwiya Stadium last night.
Coach Jose Daniel Carreno wanted Qatar to play some tough opposition after their World Cup qualifying campaign so far had produced some easy wins, most notably a 15-0 thumping of minnows Bhutan.
Carreno got his wish, but was left ruing a 2-1 defeat by the Turkish side, currently ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings. Ali Asadalla had put Qatar ahead in the 26th minute only for Arda Turan and Cenk Tosun to hit back in the second half in front of a fairly decent crowd, many among them expatriate Turks.
Turkey, who are regulars at the World Cup, enjoyed 62 percent ball possession in the first half but failed to convert their advantage into goals because their forwards were unnecessarily overcautious in their approach.
Qatar, on the other hand, were clearly bent on the attack hoping to surprise their much fancied rivals. After the Turkish defence had survived a couple of close shaves, Qatar found the target in the 26th minute when Mohamed Musa released Asadalla near the centre and the forward made good ground before finding the net from inside the area.
The match hardly rose to dizzy heights. In fact it meandered along through the better part of the second half before Turkey upped the tempo a bit as they sensed time was running out.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Turan it was who restored parity for the visitors, booting home from close after the Qatar defence failed to get their act together and allowed several Turkey players a free run near the area.
After a flurry of passes, Olcay Sahan managed to sneak the ball in for Turan who fired past Qatar goalkeeper Amine Lecomte in the 69th minute much to Turkey’s relief.
Qatar barely had time to regroup when striker Tosun put Turkey ahead with a header off an assist from Turan on the right.
The Qatar goal then survived a couple of half chances as Turkey clinched a creditable victory in the end.
Qatar now face Bhutan in an away World Cup qualifying match next week.