Qatar kicked off their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Panama on a historic night in Houston.
The Asian champions became the first national team to compete in three major continental tournaments in three different continents.
After a goalless first half, Akram Afif gave Qatar the lead with a close-range volley, but Rolando Blackburn headed in an equalizer less than three minutes later.
AlMoez Ali resorted the Asian champions’ lead immediately with a low neat angled shot before Blackburn equalized again in the 58th minute,
AlHaydos gave Qatar the lead for the third time from the spot with a Panenka finish, but Eric Davis salvaged a point for the central American side, also from the spot, after Abdelkarim Hassan brought down Abdiel Ayraza inside the box.
It was a solid Gold Cup debut from Qatar, but they could have ended it with a win if they took their chances.