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Tribune News Network
JAKARTA
Thailand fought back to snatch a 1-1 draw against Qatar in the Asian Games football tournament in their Group B preliminary match on Tuesday.
It was the Qataris who broke the deadlock at the Pakansari Stadium after just six minutes courtesy of a fine strike by Hazem Shehata, who on the swivel brilliantly took Naseer Ibrahim's cross into his path before slotting past Nont Muangngam.
Qatar then had a decent chance to double their lead four minutes after the hour mark from another excellent delivery by Naseer, but Tarek Salman's sweetly-struck volley was smartly kept out by Nont at full stretch.
In the second minute of injury-time, Thailand finally got the equaliser they deserved when the lively Tanasith who had been a livewire throughout the 90 minutes floated in a perfect cross from the right and Supachok Sarachat made his way in between two defenders to send a thumping header into the back of the net.
The draw means both sides currently trail Group B leaders Uzbekistan, who earlier in the day got their campaign off to the best possible start as they beat Bangladesh 3-0 courtesy of goals from Zabikhillo Urinboev, Dostonbek Khamdamov and Ikromjon Alibaev.
In Group C matches, Syria scored 1-0 win over 2019 Asian Cup hosts UAE while China hammered Timor Leste 6-0.
Japan, one of the strong contenders for the gold, toiled hard in their 1-0 win over Nepal in Group D which also saw Vietnam beat Pakistan 3-0.
