FOOTBALL – Saudi Arabia became the first team to book their berth in the semi-finals of the 27th Gulf Cup last night following their resounding 3-0 victory over Oman to maintain their perfect record in Group A. Feras Al Buraikan scored a brace for the hosts in the 11th and 34th minutes, while Hassan Kadesh was on target in the 18th.
Saudi improved to six points from two matches and are now assured of their place in the last four as Oman suffered their first loss and stayed on a single point.
Saudi next face Iraq for Group A supremacy on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Karrar Nabeel fired in a last-gasp winner to help the Iraqis edge past Kuwait 3-2 in last night’s other Group A clash.
Nabeel hit a sensational volley from just outside the penalty area in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time to give the Iraqis the full three points after twice going ahead and then conceding equalisers each time.
Zidane Iqbal opened their account in the 52nd minute but Kuwait’s Yousef Alsulaiman converted a 75th minute penalty to draw level.
Saif Rasheed then appeared to have given Iraq the win with a goal in the 83rd minute, but Alsulaiman scored again just six minutes later to bring the Kuwaitis back on level terms, setting up the dramatic finish and Nabeel’s end-game heroics.
Iraq’s victory was their first of the competition after previously drawing with Oman.
They improved to four points and have one foot in the semis.
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