FIFA Arab Cup: Comoros qualifies with sensational comeback

Comoros qualified for their first-ever FIFA Arab Cup in sensational fashion on Wednesday, coming back from two goals down to win in a penalty kick shootout following a 4-4 draw with Yemen at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Match Highlights (Penalty shootout further below)

For every moment it seemed the African representatives would find their way, a defensive mistake would leave them behind again. However, a fantastic rally as well as a stellar performance in the penalty shootout at the end carried Les Coelacanthes to a dramatic victory.

Yemen took the lead in the 14th minute when a corner kick was spilled by goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou and Harwan Al Zubaidi crashed in to apply the final touch.

Comoros responded through Housseine Zakouani, who converted his second attempt at a penalty kick after VAR cancelled out his first attempt that was saved. But a meltdown at the end of the half saw Yemen score twice to move ahead 3-1 at halftime.

It appeared Comoros were dead and buried but the island nation regained their composure. An own goal after the hour mark arrived when a hopeful shot took a dramatic deflection past Yemen goalkeeper Abdullah Al Saadi. However, another mistake arrived less than five minutes later when a turnover led to a fourth goal for the Gulf nation.

But Comoros were awarded a penalty kick just before stoppage time for a handball in the penalty area and Zaid Amir converted his spot kick. Later in stoppage time, Zaid completed a sensational comeback when a long ball into the Yemeni penalty area went off the head of a defender and went right to Zaid who reacted quickly to finish for a late equalizer.

Tied after ninety minutes, the teams went directly into penalty kicks. After each team converted their first attempts, Anzimati-Aboudou atoned for his earlier error with a stellar kick save on Yemen’s second attempt before denying the third attempt as well. After converting their first three spot kicks, it was Zaid who stepped up to complete a perfect set of penalties by firing in the winning kick to finish the job.

Penalty Shootout

Comoros qualify for the final tournament for the first time in their history with the result. They will take part in Group B at the finals in Qatar alongside Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Oman.