Qatar left to rue missed chances as Bosnia end World Cup dream

RIYADH: Many Qatari fans will be left wondering what could have been had head coach Julen Lopetegui instructed the team to play with the same attacking intent they showed after going 2-0 down.

The score might have been different. Qatar might have had a fighting chance to reach their first knockout-stage appearance. Alas, it was not to be.

What happened in first-half stoppage time, however, will be a memory Qatari fans are unlikely to forget.

Pedro Miguel, fresh off making one of his trademark overlapping runs on the right, found himself in a prime attacking position behind the Bosnian defense with a chance to equalize.

Akram Afif threaded a neat pass, giving Miguel enough space to test Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. Miguel struck the post, leaving Qatari fans in a state of disbelief.

The two-time Asian champions endured a tedious opening 35 minutes. After sitting back and allowing their opponents to dominate possession, a moment of magic from Kerim Alajbegovic gave Bosnia the lead in the 29th minute of proceedings.

The 18-year-old starlet evaded two players before nestling the ball past Mahmoud Abunada from range.

Just five minutes later, Edin Dzeko contributed to Bosnia’s second, directing a cross back into the box which deflected off Qatar left-back Sultan Al-Brake and into his own net. Dzeko hit the post a few minutes later and it seemed all but over for the Maroons.

That was until the 42nd minute, when a Miguel cross to the far post was met by Edmilson Junior, who squared it back into the center of the box.

Qatari football icon Hassan Al-Haydos, making his first start of the tournament, converted to pull one back for Qatar and keep their knockout hopes alive.

The Miguel miss followed