JEDDAH: Oman will face the United Arab Emirates in the semifinals of Gulf Cup 27 after the UAE drew 1-1 with Qatar in the final Group B match on Wednesday to secure top spot in the group.
The result confirmed the semifinal line-up, with the UAE set to meet Oman, while Qatar will take on Group A winners Saudi Arabia.
Qatar opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Almoez Ali, who converted a cross from Jassim Jaber to put his side ahead.
The UAE responded in stoppage time at the end of the first half, with Ali Saleh producing a fine finish from outside the penalty area in the 45th+4 minute to level the score.
Both teams sought a winning goal after the break, but neither could find a breakthrough as the match ended 1-1.
The draw took the UAE and Qatar to seven points each, with the Emiratis finishing top of Group B on goal difference, while Qatar settled for second place.
Oman secured their semifinal place after a 3-1 victory over Kuwait in their final Group A fixture, combined with Saudi Arabia’s 2-0 win over Iraq.
Kuwait took an early lead through Shabib al Khaldi in the sixth minute, but Oman responded after the break, with Nasser al Rawahi scoring twice before Musab al Shaqsi added a third goal to complete the comeback.
Saudi Arabia finished top of Group A with nine points after defeating Iraq through goals from Abdullah al Salem and Abdullah al Hamdan.
Oman and Iraq ended level on points, and with the relevant tie-breaking criteria unable to separate them, a draw of lots determined the second semifinalist. Oman progressed to the last four.
Meanwhile, Yemen ended their campaign with a 5-2 victory over defending champions Bahrain, with both teams already out of contention for a semifinal place.
The semifinals will be played on Saturday, October 3.
