DOHA: Qatar and Jordan are set for a top-of-the-table clash after both registered their second wins in Group J of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025 Qualifiers on Friday. Jordan will head into Sunday's showdown only needing a draw after defeating Singapore 2-0 while Qatar, who have an inferior goal difference, also beat Hong Kong by the same score.
With Hong Kong having suffered a huge defeat to Jordan in their opener, Qatar would have gone into the tie at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium with high hopes. Hong Kong however, were a different side from Wednesday as they defended resolutely with the teams heading into the break on level terms.
Qatar increased their tempo after the break and were rewarded almost instantly, with Mohamed Khaled Gouda breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute.
Their resistance broken, Hong Kong conceded again in the 61st minute, with captain Ibrahim Mohammadali providing Qatar with a much needed healthier advantage to allow them to calmly see out the remaining minutes.
At the Grand Hamad Stadium, Jordan, 7-0 winners against Hong Kong, in their opening match, didn't take long to settle down as they imposed themselves on the tie. Singapore, having lost 3-0 to Qatar, needed the points but soon had to concede to Jordan's superiority with the West Asian side taking the lead through forward Odeh Burhan Fakhoury in the 26th minute.
They were 2-0 up four minutes later, with striker Ibrahim Mohammad Sabra finding the net as Singapore were left staring at early elimination heading into the break. Jordan took their foot off the pedal in the second half but suffered a blow as captain Ezz Aldin Abualsood will not play a part in the showdown against Qatar after the midfielder was red-carded in the 66th minute.
All 10 group winners, along with the five best-placed runners-up, will progress to the final tournament and be joined by 1985 champions China, who are hosting for a second time after their first in 2010.
