JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia won the West Asian Federation (WAFF) Cup Under-23 Championship after defeating Qatar 3-1 in a match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The Saudi U23 team opened the scoring in the 9th minute through Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, with Saad Al-Nasser doubling the score in the 18th minute.

The Qatari team succeeded in reducing the difference at the start of the second half. The visitors received a penalty kick in the 49th minute, which Diab Haroun successfully translated into a goal.

In the 67th minute, Musab Al-Juwair confirmed the superiority of the Saudi side, netting their third goal from a direct free kick.

The Saudis had qualified for the finals after defeating Oman 2-1 in the semi-finals, while the Qataris overcame Syria, 7-6, in a penalty shootout after their match ended in a 1-1 draw. — SPA