Meshaal Barsham saved three penalties as the defending champions Qatar edged out Uzbekistan 3-2 in a tight shootout victory at Al Bayt stadium on Saturday evening. 

Qatar started strongly and underlined their intent as a long ball from Ahmed Fatehi found Akram Afif but the first-time strike was well saved by Uzbekistan keeper Utkir Yusupov. Qatar grew in confidence passing the ball with ease and holding onto possession. 

Chances were at a premium early on but Al Anabi midfielder Jassem Gaber did have a long-shot that was blocked by the Uzbek backline. With 27 minutes on the clock, Qatar opened the scoring with more than a dash of luck. A raking pass found Hassan Haydoos and the veteran attacker pushed along the byline. His cross come shot was flapped at by Yusupov who turned the ball into his net. The defending champions had the lead. 

Unperturbed Uzbekistan responded immediately. Midfielder Otabek Shukurov saw his shot ricochet off defender Lucas Mendes which had Qatari keeper Meshaal Barsham scrambling. With ten minutes left in the half, Uzbekistan created a golden chance to go level. A slick passing move was cut back to Azizbek Turgunboev with the goal at his mercy the 29-year old smashed a shot towards goal, only to be blocked at the last second by Mohammed Waad bringing about a thunderous roar from the capacity crowd at Al Bayt Stadium. Qatar hit back and a sharp header from defender Almahdi Mukhtar brought out a good save from Yusupov. 

Qatar started the second half on the edge, Meshaal Barsham came surging out of his goal to take out Abbosbek Fayzullaev. Initially, the tackle looked like a straight red, but the referee only handed the Al Sadd stopper a yellow. VAR quickly intervened to check the incident for a red card but deemed the offence to only be a yellow. Uzbekistan started to take hold of the contest as a dangerous cross saw Ahmed Fatehi push the ball just wide of his own goal. 

Just before the hour mark Uzbekistan had their deserved leveler, Odiljon Hamrobekov kept running from midfield and found the bottom corner. What a time to score his first goal for his country. Nerves started to show for both sides as they picked up yellow cards. A cynical push from Almoez Ali on Yusupov in which the Al Duhail attacker picked up a warning neatly summed up the latter stages of regular time. The AFC Asian Cup in Qatar has been littered with late drama and Akram Afif thought he snatched victory at the death as a curling effort skimmed the far post. Uzbekistan also had a late effort as substitute Shokhboz Umarov smashed a volley just wide in the closing moments of the contest.

Extra-time saw Qatar go on the front foot, and substitute Abdulaziz Hatem hit a shot which thumped against the Uzbekistan bar. While Al Anabi wing-back Pedro could have easily been shown a red card for a rash challenge on Abbosbek Fayzullaev. The second half saw Qatar push for a winner again, Almoez Ali came closer as a surging run and shot rippled against the side netting. 

Into penalties, and Meshaal Barsham stepped up for the defending champions when it counted. Three penalty saves, including calmly staying in the middle to deny Uzbekistan captain Jaloliddin Masharipov. As Pedro slammed home his spot-kick to seal a 3-2 win, the relief in Al Bayt was palpable. Qatar will now have to go again as they face Iran for a place in the AFC Asian Cup final.