Qatar, Panama share the spoils in CONCACAF Gold Cup six-goal thriller
Qatar began their debut appearance today at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Panama at the BBVA Stadium in the opening match of Group D.
Neither side was able to make a breakthrough in the first half despite a series of chances, with all six goals coming in in a memorable second half.
The Al Annabi stars took the lead on three occasions courtesy of goals from the attacking trio of Akram Afif, Al Moez Ali, who made history by becoming the only player to score in the Gold Cup, Asian Cup and Copa America; and Hasan Al Haydos. But, the Asian Champions failed to maintain superiority over the 2018 World Cup finalists Panama who responded courtesy of a brace from their 31-year-old striker Rolando Blackburn and Eric Davis.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts were invited to participate in the 2021 and 2023 Gold Cup competitions by CONCACAF last year as part of a significant collaboration between the continental and Qatar Football Association (QFA).
Qatar is one of seven nations to have competed as guests at the competition, and it is the second Asian country to participate after South Korea.
The match, which was delayed for two hours due to plentiful rainfall, saw Qatar coach Felix Sanchez deploy a five-man backline with youngster Homam Al Amin making the starting eleven on the left flank. With skipper Hasan Al Haydos sitting at the base of the attacking triangle.
Qatar’s first foray into attack came inside the opening ten minutes, as Al Moez Ali set up Akram Afif inside the box only the keeper to beat, but his shot soared across the crossbar.
Panamanian goalkeeper Luis Mejia then came up with a vital save in the 31st minute to deny Qatar’s Almoez Ali.
The Gulf nation came closer just minutes later, in the 33rd minute, off a free kick opportunity. Karim Boudiaf whipped a dangerous ball into the box that slipped out of Mejia’s gloves. Still, Panamanian defender Francisco Palacios was there to clear the ball and avert any danger.
Mejia would deny Ali once more in the 35th minute as the last line of defence following the Qatari forward’s nifty skills to find separation and shoot towards goal.
The match’s opening goal arrived in the 49th minute, as Akram Afif finished an elaborate play by the 2019 Asian Cup champions.
Panama didn’t take long to answer, capitalizing on a corner kick opportunity culminating with Rolando Blackburn heading the ball into the net in the 51st minute.
Qatar then answered with a second goal, as Afif went from goalscorer to assist man, sending a through ball to Ali for the lead in the 53rd minute.
Blackburn found the back of the net once more in the 58th minute, smashing home a ball around the penalty area from a Barcenas service into the box.
The following two goals would come right from the penalty spot as the two nations would trade fouls in the box.
Hassan Al Haydos regained Qatar’s lead in the 63rd minute before Eric Davis would tie the match for the third time in the 79th minute of play.
With a point apiece, Qatar prepares for Grenada, while Panama’s next test will be Honduras.
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