Qatar's Almoez Ali celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Qatar overcame a hostile crowd atmosphere to register a resounding 4-0 win over UAE to book a maiden Asian Cup final.
At the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today, Boualem Khoukhi and Almoez Ali struck for Qatar in the first half to silence the UAE fans and set up a title clash with Japan on Friday February 1.
In the second half, Qatar added two more goals through Hassan Al Haydos and Hamid Ismaeil.
Qatar started on a bright note enjoying more ball possession but could not trouble the scorers before the 20-minute mark.
Coach Felix Sanchez side struck in the 22nd minute.
Boualem Khoukhi's angular shot from the edge of the box broke through the defense of UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and ended in the back of the net, 1-0.
There was a pin-drop silence at the stadium and some fans threw water bottles and chapals at the players.
Qatar added a second one in the 37th minute, which turned out to be a gem of goal from Almoez Ali
The speedy Qatari striker notched his eight goal of the tournament to go level with the great Ali Daei for most goals in a single AFC Asian Cup campaign.
The striker curling effort goes beyond the reach of Eisa.
In the second half, Qatar added a third goal in the 80th minute with Al Haydos getting his name on the scores list, beating the advancing keeper with a gentle chip over Eisa.
Qatar completed the humiliation with a fourth goal in injury time, with substitute Ismaeil who came in for Akram Hassan Afif in the 90th minute beat the UAE keeper with his right footed try to give Qatar a facile win.
