FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN went down to Yemen 5-2 yesterday to end their sorry 27th Gulf Cup campaign in fourth place in Group B without a point.
Yemen signed off on a high note, coming from behind to defeat the defending champions at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah and finish third in the group.
Elsewhere, the UAE secured top spot in Group B after drawing 1-1 with Qatar at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The result left both teams on seven points, but the UAE finished above Qatar on goal difference.
The UAE will face Oman in Saturday’s semi-final, while Qatar will take on Group A winners and hosts Saudi Arabia. The tournament final is scheduled for Tuesday.
Bahrain made the brighter start and took the lead in the seventh minute when Ali Al-Dosari found the net.
Yemen, however, responded decisively, turning the match around with four goals before half-time.
Nasser Mohammedoh restored parity in the 18th minute, and Yemen completed the turnaround when Abdulwasea Al-Matari struck in the 31st minute.
Rami Al-Wasmani added a third nine minutes later before Adel Abbas Qasem made it 4-1 shortly before the interval.
Bahrain reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Ali Madan, giving the dethroned champions a glimmer of hope. Yemen held firm, though, and Al-Wasmani put the result beyond doubt with his second goal deep into stoppage time.
The victory gave Yemen three points and third place in Group B, while Bahrain finished fourth without a point.
Both sides had already been eliminated from contention for the semi-finals before the final round.
In the other match, Qatar took the lead in the 33rd minute when Almoez Ali converted a curling delivery from Jassim Gaber.
The UAE responded in first-half stoppage time, with Ali Saleh firing home after Qatar failed to clear a cross. With both teams already assured of their places in the last four, Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui rested several key players, including Akram Afif, while the UAE also rotated its squad.
The Emiratis started strongly, with Luan Pereira heading over from Fabio Lima’s set-piece before Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada denied Lima from a free-kick.
Qatar gradually grew into the contest and took the lead when Gaber delivered a dangerous cross into the box and Almoez slid in to finish.
The UAE continued to press and were rewarded just before the break. Abdulaziz Hatem’s attempted clearance fell to Saleh outside the area, and he calmly placed his shot into the bottom-left corner.
The UAE remained the more threatening side after the interval, forcing Abunada into several important saves.
Substitute Guilherme Bala came close to putting his side ahead, but the Qatar goalkeeper produced an excellent diving stop.
Qatar struggled to create clear chances in the second half, with Boualem Khoukhi heading over the bar from one of their few openings.
The UAE pressed for a winner late on, but Qatar held on to secure a point and second place in the group.
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