QATAR SET FOR FINAL SHOWDOWN AGAINST JAPAN

Qatar hammered hosts United Arab Emirates to reach the Asian Cup football final. Dubbed the Blockade Derby, the match was the first meeting between the two regional rivals since the start of the Gulf crisis.

Qatar opened the scoring with Boualem Khoukhi in the 22nd minute with Almoez Ali adding a second 15 minutes later. Hassan al-Haydos added a third in the 80th minute with a chip over the UAE goal-keeper and Ismaeil sealed Qatar's progress with a goal in injury time.

The match was marred by crowd disruptions twice where shoes and bottles were thrown at Qatari players celebrating after scoring. Qatar's qualify to the title match for the first time where it will face Japan on Friday.