Doha (AFP) – Qatar’s Al-Sadd defeated Hienghene Sport 3-1 after extra-time on Wednesday, shattering the New Caledonian part-timers’ dreams of facing Liverpool in the Club World Cup.
Al-Sadd, coached by Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez, will now face Mexico’s Monterrey, the CONCACAF Champions League winners, on Saturday.
Whoever emerges from that match will then be able to look forward to a plum semi-final against European champions Liverpool on December 18.
“We had many chances to score. They didn’t look like scoring in the second half apart from early on,” Xavi told the BBC.
“We suffered too much, we did more than them but we missed too many chances.”
Algerian star Baghdad Bounedjah gave the Qataris the lead after 26 minutes before Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif had a goal ruled out for offside.
Amy Roine levelled for the Pacific Islanders in the first minute of the second half after a VAR review.
The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes before the greater fitness of the home side came to the fore with a Abdelkarim Hassan free-kick and Pedro Miguel Correia sealing the win.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $5.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season