Asian Cup 2019: UAE fans throw shoes at Qatar players in humbling semi-final defeat

Qatar ran out dominant 4-0 winners of the match dubbed ‘El Gasico’

The Asian Cup semi-final between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar was marred by unrest in the stands, as UAE supporters booed the Qatari national anthem and threw shoes at Qatar’s players.

Qatar ran out dominant 4-0 winners of the match dubbed ‘El Gasico’ between two Middle Eastern states at the heart of tension in the region.

Qatar fans were largely barred from the game in UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi due to the ongoing blockade against the country over allegations of supporting terrorism, something Doha denies.

The 42,000 inside the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium soon grew fustrated as their team fell behind, and video later emerged of supporters launching their sandals and plastic bottles at Qatari players as they celebrated their second goal of the evening.

The initial airborne volley appeared to miss its intended targets, but later a bottle struck Qatar defender Salem Al Hajri as he celebrated their third goal.

The 2022 World Cup hosts will take on Japan in the final in the Zayed Sports City stadium across the city on Friday.