FOOTBALL – SAUDI ARABIA defeated Iraq 2-0 in the 27th Gulf Cup yesterday in Jeddah to seal top spot in Group One.
The Green Falcons produced a composed performance at Al-Inma Stadium to finish the group stage with a perfect nine points from three matches.
Iraq, by contrast, now face a nerve-shredding scenario. Their tally stands at four points, leaving them second in the group and level with Oman, who prevailed over Kuwait 3-1.
Everything separating Iraq and Oman is identical. Press reports confirm a draw, which is set to take place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Jeddah, will decide which of them will join Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals.
Both qualified teams must wait to learn their semi-final opponents until today’s Group Two fixtures are done, with Qatar facing the UAE and Yemen taking on Bahrain.
The victory completed a flawless group campaign for Saudi Arabia, who defeated Kuwait, Oman and Iraq to finish first with nine points.
Iraq appeared to have a strong chance of progressing, but their defeat left them level on points with Oman.
Saudi Arabia broke the deadlock nine minutes after the restart. Abdullah Al-Salem reacted quickest after Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil failed to hold the ball, calmly steering the rebound into an unguarded net in the 54th minute. Iraq struggled to respond as Saudi Arabia increased the pressure. Abdullah Al-Hamdan then doubled the advantage in the 69th minute, collecting the ball inside the penalty area before firing a low left-footed effort past Basil.
Iraq had threatened shortly before the break when Saif Rasheed Hameed broke through, but the attack was halted for offside.
Their afternoon was further disrupted by an injury to Mustafa Saadoon.
Saudi Arabia coach Donis made a series of second-half changes as his side protected its advantage, bringing on Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Firas Al-Buraikan, while Al-Salem and Sultan Mandash were withdrawn.
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