Mark Hughes's side hardly blossomed in the desert for his first game as Wales's manager, with victory secured by a ultra-defensive display.
Charlton winger John Robinson smashed home the eventual winner after just 10 minutes but from then on, Wales defended in depth, sticking with a five-man defence and two deep midfield players to contain Qatar. The hosts were quick and powerful up front, attributes that caused Wales's back line more than a little trouble.
They bristled with intent, and, after four minutes, a Dahi free-kick was headed over the bar by Alenazi. Wales had started with just Nathan Blake up front, with captain Gary Speed playing a forward midfield role, and young Matthew Jones fitting in excellently on his full debut.
After being forced to defend in numbers, Wales's attack produced a goal for Robinson. Goalkeeper Paul Jones's long goal-kick was touched down by Speed on the edge of the box, and the Charlton winger arrived to half volley a fine drive past Ahmed.
Qatar were allowed to exploit an offside position after 28 minutes when Aaziz broke clear while Alenazi was trotting back from an offside position. He was still offside when he turned to chase back into the box and volley the cross over the bar.
Speed, unmarked, should have made it two after 33 minutes but his header flashed over the top.
The chances were starting to arrive for Wales and Jones forced the goalkeeper into a plunging save to his left. The second-half pattern remained the same with Wales content to defend and hang onto their lead. Hughes would probably argue that without Ryan Giggs, Dean Saunders and John Hartson he had little option to utilise Blake. But it was not a pretty sight.
Blake was constantly outnumbered, although he did managed to steal the ball from Zamil after 47 minutes and flick in a shot that Ahmed plucked down. Blake threatened again after 62 minutes his header from Robinson's corner flashing over the bar.
A 30-yard free kick from Aaziz, after 67 minutes, was the first chance of the second period for the hosts.
A second Wales goal would have settled it, but, on 76 minutes, Speed rose at the far post to head a Robinson cross wide.
Speed had another chance to settle things after 83 minutes when unmarked but his header was scrambled wide.
Qatar: Khalil (Alkaobi 80), Alnobi, Z. Alkuwari (Alshammari 65), Kuwari, Altmanini (Obaidley 75), F Alkuwari, Nadno (Abdulrazak 88), Mohamed (Mustafa 63), Hassan (Ghulam 78), Jassim, Fath. Subs Not Used: Alrumaihi, Aman, Alsulaiti. Booked: Jassim.
Wales: P Jones, Delaney, Barnard (Symons 89), Melville, C Coleman, Page, J Robinson, Speed, Blake, Pembridge, M Jones. Subs Not Used: M Crossley, C Robinson, Davies, Oster, N Roberts. Booked: Barnard, Blake.
Referee: Abdul Aziz (Bahrain).
