DOHA, Qatar (AP) -Qatar beat Uzbekistan 3-0 Saturday in World Cup qualifying with a convincing performance despite the absence of four key players.
Qatar, seeking to reach the World Cup finals for the first time, went ahead through a free kick from Majdi Siddiq in the 37th minute that beat Uzbek goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
Uruguay-born striker Sebastian Quintana played a part in the second goal when his pass was neatly tucked into the goal by substitute Magid Hassan in the 72nd.
With three minutes left, Talal Albloushi went past Uzbek keeper Nesterov for a third.
Uzbekistan had several attempts on goal but failed to find the target against a team ranked 22 places below at No. 81.
Qatar went into the match without four key players - Musad Al Hamad and Yousef Ahmed were injured and Wisam Rizq and Hussain Yasser were suspended.
Qatar hosts neighbor Bahrain in the next qualifier on Wednesday.
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Lineups:
Qatar: Mohamed Saqr, Junior Marcone, Majdi Siddiq, Abdulla Obaid Koni, Saad Al Shammari, Sayd Ali Bechir (Magid Hassan, 71), Ibrahim Majed Abdullmajed (Mohamed Al Blooshi, 68), Fabio Motesin (Khalfan Al Khalfan, 77), Talal Albloushi, Bilal Rajab, Sebastian Quintana.
Uzbekistan: Ignatiy Nesterov, Bahtiyor Ashurmatov, Ilhomjon Suyunov, Asror Alikulov, Islom Innomov, Azizbek Haydarov (Alexander Gafurov, 46), Server Djeparov, Odil Ahmedov, Vitaliy Denisov, Maksim Shatskikh (Ulugbek Bakaev, 79), Timur Kapadze (Galiulin Vagiez, 65).
