Disallowed goal sparks Qatar anger

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DOHA, Qatar -- The Asian Games security task force is to try to track down supporters responsible for unruly behavior during Qatar's 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the soccer tournament.

Fans pelted the pitch with plastic bottles at the Al Sadd Stadium at the end of Saturday's match, venting their anger at a Qatar goal being ruled out when the referee blew for half-time just as the ball went into the net.

Bottles rained down on the players in a match which looks likely to signal the end of the home side's hopes of making the quarterfinals.

"Some of the people responsible for making sure that items like food and bottles are not brought into the ground allowed them in," said Games spokesman Ahmed Abdulla Al-Khulaifi.

"The Games Venue Task Force is now investigating the incident and trying to identify the fans involved.

"We condemn this sort of behavior. We are not used to this in Qatar and we ask people to be more hospitable and show respect for fans and athletes.

"But the problem at the Al Sadd stadium is that the spectators are very close to the edge of the pitch."

Khulaifa said there would be no increase in the level of policing at the soccer tournament but the ban on bringing foodstuffs into venues would be rigidly enforced.

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