Part of the qualifying match (5)
I believe the answer is:
equal
'match' is the definition.
(I know that match can be written as equal)
'part of the qualifying' is the wordplay.
'part of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'EQUAL' is hidden in the letters of 'the qualifying'.
(Other definitions for equal that I've seen before include "Equivalent or equitable" , "Commensurate" , "Match, rival" , "Numerically identical" , "The same; fairly balanced" .)