Saudi Arabia and UAE face Qatar and Oman
The four teams of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Oman have qualified for the Gulf Cup 27 semifinals in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia will play against Qatar and UAE against Oman.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Competition heats up in the semifinals of the ongoing Gulf Cup 27 in Jeddah, as the host Saudi national team faces Qatar at 6:55 PM tomorrow Saturday, and the UAE national team takes on Oman at 9:30 PM. Saudi Arabia reached this stage after topping Group A with a perfect record, following victories over Algeria 1-0, Oman 3-0, and Iraq 2-0. Meanwhile, Oman qualified for the semifinals through a draw conducted by the competitions committee of the Gulf Cup of Nations Football Association, after they and Iraq finished level on all tiebreakers (points, head-to-head result, goals scored, and cards).
On the other hand, the UAE secured their place in the semifinals at the top of Group B after drawing 1-1 with runners-up Qatar in the final group stage match day before yesterday. Ali Saleh equalized for the UAE in the 49th minute (45+4), after Qatar had taken the lead through Mohamed Al-Muntashiri (32).
In the semifinals, all four teams share the same ambition of reaching the final, scheduled for next Tuesday. However, Saudi Arabia and Oman appear closer to that goal, given their performances in the group stage and the overall level displayed by each team.
In the match played the previous day, both the UAE and Qatar entered the game having already secured advancement to the next round with six points from two consecutive wins. The UAE held an advantage in goal difference and only needed a draw to maintain top spot in the group, which they achieved. Both teams made significant changes to their starting lineups compared to the first two matches.
The UAE started the match with noticeable dominance, controlling possession and building attacks. Fabio Lima opened their chances with a free-kick shot saved by Qatar’s goalkeeper Mahmoud Al-Aboudi (12). However, Qatar took the lead after a cross from Jasim Al-Jaber was finished by Mohamed Al-Muntashiri past UAE goalkeeper Hamad Al-Maqbali, who made his tournament debut as a substitute for Khalid Eisa (32). This was the first goal the UAE had conceded after two clean sheets.
The UAE responded quickly when defender Khaled Al-Anbari launched an individual effort, but his shot went wide of the post (38). Qatar made an involuntary substitution, bringing in Abdulaziz Hatem for the injured Mohamed Moniri (41).
The UAE equalized when Al-Anbari delivered a cross that Hatem weakly headed back into the path of Ali Saleh, who slid the ball into Al-Aboudi’s net (45+4), giving the UAE their first goal of the tournament, mirroring their opponents.
Substitute Paulo Guilherme nearly restored the UAE’s lead, but Al-Aboudi made a brilliant save (74).
