Bahrain Defeats Iraq to Become First Gulf Cup Semi-Finalists
The Bahrain national team became the first to qualify for the Gulf Cup semi-finals after defeating Iraq 2-0 in the second round of Group B matches. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia revived its hopes with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Yemen after trailing by two goals.
Bahrain’s victory brought their total to 6 points, securing the top spot in the group. They had previously triumphed over Saudi Arabia 3-2 in the first round. Iraq remains at 3 points, tied with Saudi Arabia, setting up a decisive clash between the two teams on Saturday to determine the group’s second semi-finalist. Saudi Arabia needs only a draw to qualify.
The opening goal came in the 38th minute following a Bahraini attack down the left wing. Sayed Dhiya Saeed delivered a through ball to Mohammed Marhoon, who skillfully bypassed Iraqi defender Rebin Sulaka and set up an unmarked Ali Madan to calmly slot the ball into the net.
Early in the second half, Bahrain doubled their lead. Mahdi Al-Aswad provided a through ball to Madan, who controlled and fired a shot that Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan initially saved. However, the rebound fell back to Madan, who scored the goal it in the 47th minute.
A potential third goal was disallowed in the 84th minute when substitute Mohammed Al-Romaihi scored after a pass from Marhoon, but the assistant referee ruled it offside.
Saudi Arabia Revives Gulf Cup Hopes
In the second match, Saudi Arabia mounted an incredible comeback to edge past Yemen 3-2 after falling two goals behind early on.
The “Green Falcons” scored through Mohammed Kanno (30’), Musab Al-Juwayr (57’, penalty), and Abdullah Al-Hamdan (90+3’). Yemen had taken a surprising lead with goals from Haroon Al-Zubaidi (8’) and Abdul Majeed Sabara (27’).
The game began with Saudi Arabia pressing for an early advantage, but Yemen shocked their opponents in the 8th minute. Haroon Al-Zubaidi scored from a cross from Abdulwasea Al-Matari, leaving Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais helpless.
After the first goal the Saudi team dominated the midfield, however, Yemen doubled their lead in the 27th minute when Abdul Majeed Sabara capitalized on a defensive mistake by Ali Al-Bulaihi to score from close range.
Saudi Arabia pulled one back three minutes later when Mohammed Kanno converted a perfect cross from Al-Juwayr with a powerful header.
They nearly equalized in first-half stoppage time when Salem Al-Dosari set up Abdullah Radif, but Yemen’s goalkeeper made an impressive save.
The relentless Saudi pressure paid off in the 56th minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a handball in Yemen’s box. Al-Juwayr converted from the spot to make it 2-2.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored the decisive third goal in the 90+3rd minute after a precise cross from Al-Juwayr. The ball found the advancing Al-Bulaihi, who expertly laid it off to Al-Hamdan, enabling him to fire it into Yemen’s net and secure Saudi Arabia’s first victory in the tournament.
Before the match finished, Yemeni player Rami Al-Wasmani was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow. In stoppage time, Hamza Ghaleb was initially sent off for an off-the-ball foul on Al-Bulaihi. However, following a VAR review, the referee downgraded the red card to a yellow.
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