Qatar’s Zaid Faisal led his team to a victory against Mongolia in the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers with a brilliant brace. The match, held at Aspire Academy Pitch 7, saw Qatar dominate from the start, with Zaid opening the scoring in the 18th minute with a spectacular goal. Despite their strong performance, Qatar was unable to extend their lead until Zaid scored his second goal in the 84th minute with a low drive from outside the box.
The Qatar team, coached by Ahmed Madouni, displayed an impressive performance, with Adam Friakh coming close to scoring and Zaid having a goal disallowed for offside. The victory against Mongolia sets Qatar up for their next match against Nepal, where they will aim to secure another win in Group F. Following this match, Qatar will face Japan in their final group match on Sunday.
In another Group F match, Japan defeated Nepal 9-2 at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. Despite Nepal taking an early lead with a goal from Sabin Kumar, Japan mounted a strong comeback with Daichi Tani scoring a hat-trick and Hiroto Asada also netting a treble. Mibuki Kasai and Kaiji Chonan also found the back of the net for Japan, while Bigyan Khadka scored Nepal’s second goal late in the match.
A total of 43 teams are competing in the Qualifiers, divided into 10 groups, with the top team from each group and the five best runners-up advancing to the finals. The 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place from April 3 to 20, 2025, in Saudi Arabia. The AFC U-17 Asian Cup is an important tournament for young players to showcase their talent and potentially make a name for themselves on the international stage.
Qatar’s Zaid Faisal expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance and emphasized the importance of collecting three points in their opening match. The captain’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess were crucial in securing the victory against Mongolia. With their sights set on upcoming matches against Nepal and Japan, Qatar will be aiming to continue their winning streak and advance to the finals of the tournament.
The AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers provide a platform for young footballers to gain valuable experience and showcase their skills on a competitive stage. With teams from across Asia competing for a spot in the finals, the tournament highlights the talent and potential of young players in the region. As Qatar prepares for their next matches in Group F, fans can expect exciting and competitive football as the teams vie for a chance to participate in the prestigious AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
