AL KHOR, Qatar, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Defending champions Qatar survived a scare to beat Palestine 2-1 and advance to the Asian Cup quarter-finals thanks to goals from Hassan Al-Haydos and Akram Afif at Al Bayt Stadium on Monday. Qatar notched up their 11th straight victory in the Asian Cup and will return to Al Bayt for their quarter-final where Marquez Lopez's side will play the winners of Tuesday's last-16 tie between Uzbekistan and Thailand. Although they conceded the first goal against the run of play, Qatar were composed and clinical when they created their best chances to punish Palestine, who were making their debut in the Asian Cup knockouts. A moment's silence for victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict was held before the game, with a handful of fans screaming "Free Palestine". Palestine had a few chances to equalise but lacked the finishing touch and did not really test keeper Meshaal Barsham again as Qatar held on to advance.
