Qatar’s Al Sadd went down fighting 2-3 to CONCACAF champions CF Monterrey of Mexico in the quarterfinal of FIFA Club World Cup 2019 at the Al Sadd Stadium on Saturday.

Leonel Vangioni (23rd minute), Rogelio Funes (45+1) and Carlos Rodriguez (77th) scored the goals for Monterrey.

Baghdad Bounedjah (66th minute) and Abdelkarim Hassan (89th minute) were on target for Al Sadd.

Monterrey will face European champions Liverpool of England in the second semifinal on 18th December.

Asian champions and debutants Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia had beaten African winners Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the first quarterfinal, also played at the Al Sadd Stadium earlier in the day, with Bafetimbi Gomiz netting the all-important goal.

Al Hilal will play the first semifinal against CONMEBOL winners Flamengo on 17th December. Al Sadd will be up against Esperance for the fifth place on the same day.

Al Sadd reached the quarterfinal by beating Oceania champions Hienghene Sport 3-1 in the tournament’s opener on 11th December.

Al Sadd dominated the first half, but had the disappointment of being down by two goals by the end of it.

Asia’s best player Akram Afif came close on many occasions, while Hassan Al Haydous too had a chance.

Vangioni took Monterrey ahead with a long-range shot that beat Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari hands down and went in off the right upright.

Funes was on target off a cross from the right in injury time. Soon, Afif again came short to connect a Pedro cross from the right as the first half drew to a close.

Seconds after the restart, Al Haydous tested Monterrey goalkeeper with a rising shot. At the other end, the visitors’ captain Dorlan Pabon fumbled with his attempt.

Soon after Afif skied his shot in what looked an easy chance, Bounedjah reduced the margin as he headed in Al Haydous’ cross from the right.

However, Rodrigues made it 3-1 for Monterrey, with Jesus Gallardo doing the hard work.

Abdelkarim Hassan fired in a bullet to raise hopes for Al Sadd, but an equaliser never came.