Bahrain hold Qatar, seal semis berth
KUWAIT CITY: Bahrain on Friday reached the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup
following a thrilling 1-1 draw with defending champions Qatar.
A second-half strike by Ali Jafaar Madan helped Bahrain get the
much-needed one point to finish above Qatar in the first phase of the
Gulf Cup.
For Qatar, their goal was scored off a penalty kick by striker and
captain Hassan Al Haydos in injury time of the first half at Jaber Al
Ahmed Stadium.
Bahrain finished the Group B standings with five points while Iraq (7
points) sealed the top position with a 3-0 win over Iraq on Friday.
Qatar, winners in 2014, finished in third place with 4 points from
three matches. Yemen ended the tournament without a win in three
matches.
Qatar opened the tournament with a 4-0 win over Yemen but lost to Iraq
2-1 last Tuesday.
Qatar’s brave show in the first half bore fruit when Bahrain
goalkeeper brought down Akram Afif inside the box with the wiry Al
Anabi striker ready to shoot. Uzbek referee pointed to the spot before
showing a yellow to keeper Sayed Ebrahim.
Al Haydos stepped up and went for the top of the net for Qatar’s goal
that silenced a big Bahrain crowd. It was Al Haydos’ second goal of
the tournament.
In the 58th minute, Bahrain found the equaliser when Jaafar converted
from close range after a cross from the flank.
In the semifinals, Bahrain will play Oman on Jan 2. In the other
semifinal, Iraq will battle UAE.