Qatar move closer to 2014 World Cup

Striker Yusef Ahmed Ali gave Qatar an unassailable 4-0 aggregate lead as they advanced to third round [GETTY]

Qatar took the next step in proving their World Cup credentials by advancing to the third round of Asian qualifying despite a 2-1 loss at Vietnam on Thursday.

The result was not enough to overturn Qatar’s 3-0 win from the first leg, and the 2022 World Cup host moved into the group-stage third round with a 4-2 aggregate win.

Striker Yusef Ahmed Ali put Qatar ahead 4-0 on aggregate with a powerful volley from outside the penalty area in the ninth minute, before Vietnam responded through Nguyen Trong Hoang in the 60th and a Nguyen Quang Hai header in the 78th.

In the World Cup qualifier between Myanmar and Oman play was abandoned on Thursday after angry fans hurled rocks and glass bottles at the referee, the visiting coach Paul Le Guen and one of his players, witnesses said.

Oman were leading the second leg 2-0 and 4-0 on aggregate.

Despite a heavy police presence, Myanmar fans turned unruly when Japanese referee Ryuji Sato awarded a penalty to Oman with the home side trailing 1-0 and staring at early elimination from Asian qualifying for the 2014 finals in Brazil.

Oman’s Ismail al Ajmi converted the spot kick to put his side 2-0 ahead after 39 minutes, sparking anger among the crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium and prompting players to flee for cover in the dressing room.

Soccer is popular in Myanmar and its league is growing fast, but hooliganism is rare.

El Hadji Diouf said he would go to war with the federation if they took action against him [GETTY]

Myanmar’s soccer association president Zaw Zaw tried to calm the fans at the stadium and said he would try to find out whether the game would be replayed or Oman would be awarded the victory.

El Hadji Diof will be playing no part in Senegal’s World Cup qualification campaign after being suspended for five years from all soccer-related activity in his home country.

The controversial Blackburn Rovers striker has been involved in several on and off the field disputes during his career, criticised Senegal after they failed to select him for African Nations Cup qualifying matches. 

“I can confirm Diouf has been suspended for five years during which he will not take part in games organised by the federation,” secretary general Victor Cisse told Reuters.

The former Liverpool, Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers player was recently summoned to a meeting with Senegal football federation officials after he told Radio France International “the whole system of African football is corrupt”.

Diouf also said he would “go to war” with the federation if they took action against him.

The 30-year-old started his career in France with Sochaux, Stade Rennes and Racing Lens.

Diouf then shone for Senegal at the 2002 World Cup to earn a big-money move to Liverpool. He ended last season with a loan spell at Scottish champions Rangers.