Qatar became the first side to book their place in the round of sixteen with a 1-0 victory over a spirited Tajikistan side on Wednesday evening.

Al Anabi made a perfect start when Akram Afif glided through and clipped the ball past keeper Rustam Yatimov with just 17 minutes on the clock.

The reigning AFC Asian Cup champions made plenty of changes from the team that defeated Lebanon in their opening game, looked at ease throughout the contest, and easily held off their Tajikstan.

Ten minutes from time the contest swung in the favour of Qatar as Tajikistan went down to ten men. Amadoni Kamolov lashed out, and VAR rightly overturned the initial decision of a yellow card to a red. Qatar had more than enough in the closing stages and secured the victory and passage to the round of sixteen.