AUSTIN, Texas — With nine goals scored in the group stage and three more in the quarterfinals, Qatar is the team with the hottest boots in the Concacaf Gold Cup as it enters its semifinal matchup with the United States.
The champions of Asia scored 10 goals in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and 19 total in their championship campaign. Qatar is banking on the same strategy in its quest to take the trophy as guests of the 2021 edition of the Gold Cup.
Qatar has scored 12 total goals, to date, evenly split between halves. Two goals have come from the penalty spot, both in the second half.
Almoez Ali was key to Qatar's first continental championship, contributing nine goals to take the top scorer award at the 2019 Asian Cup. He is the team's leading scorer with four so far in this year's Gold Cup.
Ali scored twice against El Salvador in the quarterfinal. He scored the opening goal, to take the lead just two minutes in, and stepped up to the penalty spot to score the game-winner in the 55th minute.
Abdulaziz Hatem has been the next highest contributor with three goals. Two of Hatem's strikes have come within the first 15 minutes, including his goal against El Salvador in the quarterfinal, and one in second-half stoppage time.
Akram Afif converted on two occasions in the group stage, including Qatar's opening goal of the tournament in a 3-3 thriller with Panama and a curler against Grenada - one of the top goals of the tournament.
Homam Ahmed, Hassan Al-Haydos, and Mohammed Muntari have also penciled their names on the scoresheet with one goal apiece.
These are the threats the U.S. defense must prepare for ahead of Thursday's semifinal bout at Austin's Q2 stadium.
If Qatar continues scoring, it could be playing for its second continental championship on Sunday.
