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.<\/p>
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\u2019s second semi-finalist. Saudi Arabia needs only a draw to qualify.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
In the second match, Saudi Arabia mounted an incredible comeback to edge past Yemen 3-2 after falling two goals behind early on.<\/p>
The \"Green Falcons\" scored through Mohammed Kanno (30\u2019), Musab Al-Juwayr (57\u2019, penalty), and Abdullah Al-Hamdan (90+3\u2019). Yemen had taken a surprising lead with goals from Haroon Al-Zubaidi (8\u2019) and Abdul Majeed Sabara (27\u2019).<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
Saudi Arabia pulled one back three minutes later when Mohammed Kanno converted a perfect cross from Al-Juwayr with a powerful header.<\/p>
They nearly equalized in first-half stoppage time when Salem Al-Dosari set up Abdullah Radif, but Yemen\u2019s goalkeeper made an impressive save.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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\u2019s first victory in the tournament.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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