Qatar ended Saudi Arabia's chances of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics with a 2-1 victory in a Group A encounter of the Asian Zone Olympic qualifiers here Wednesday. With this win Qatar lies third, behind South Korea and Oman. Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, fell behind in the 12th minute after defender Ahmed Ali Walibi scored a penalty. But the home side were on level terms two minutes from the interval, courtesy of skipper Hasan Al-Haydos. Naser Nabeel sealed the victory 12 minutes from time. The United Arab Emirates ended Australia's hopes, winning 1-0 to bolster its own chances of playing at the Games for the first time. In Group C, Japan strengthened its chances of advancing to the London Games with a comprehensive 4-0 win over winless Malaysia and Bahrain downed Syria 2-1. In other matches, Iraq beat Uzbekistan 2-1 and South Korea blanked Oman 3-0. In Abu Dhabi, Australia set the pace early and had several good chances. Aaron Mooy forced the UAE keeper Khalid Eisa to make a diving save in the 15th minute and then five minutes later Eisa saved a shot from Oliver Bozanic with his feet. UAE midfielder Omar Abdulrahman collected a backheel pass from Rashad Eisa in the 22nd minute and fired a shot underneath a diving Ryan for the only goal. Australia pressed late in the first half and nearly scored when Mate Dugandzic's effort clipped the crossbar in the 40th minute. UAE tops Group B after Iraq beat Uzbekistan 2-1 Tuesday. The Gulf nation now needs only a draw in its away match against Uzbekistan March 14 to qualify for the Olympics.
