'Qatari club... failed to qualify for the tournament and was only granted entry after a Vietnamese team was barred for failing to submit the correct documentation... Al Sadd lost both legs in the quarterfinals but still made it to the last four. After losing, 1-0, at home to Sepahan, the Asian confederation gave the losers a 3-0 win after discovering that the Iranian team had fielded an ineligible player. Sepahan won the second leg, 2-1, but it was not enough.
There was more controversy in the first leg of the semifinal at South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings. Al Sadd won, 2-0, but video of the second goal, and its aftermath, were seen around the world. With Suwon pushing forward for the equalizer, the team allowed the ball to roll out of play to give injured players time to receive medical treatment. The South Koreans expected to receive the ball back, as is the custom, from the opposition but instead Kader Keita of Ivory Coast and the Senegalese striker Mamodou Niang combined to score as the shocked Suwon players stood in the Qatari half. The ensuing melee made headlines around the world.'
So no suspicion there then.
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