Hosts Kuwait and Oman inch closer to Gulf Cup semi-finals
- 12 hours ago
Hosts Kuwait and Oman took a giant step towards the 2024 Gulf Cup semi-finals with wins over the UAE and Qatar respectively on Tuesday.
Both registered 2-1 victories to move up to four points and only need a draw when they face off on Friday to advance to the semi-finals.
Kuwait, seeking an 11th title, fought back after going behind to close in on the semi-finals, with the winning goal coming in the closing minutes.
UAE took the lead through a header by striker Caio Canedo after an excellent effort by Harib Abdullah in the fifth minute.
Backed by their passionate fans, Kuwait equalised through Mohammed Daham in the 16th minute.
Both sides had opportunities to move ahead but UAE suffered a blow in the 86th minute when Kouame Autonne was sent off, with Moath Al-Enezi scoring Kuwait’s winner in the 89th minute.
The result moved Kuwait and Oman, who edged out Qatar 2-1 in the earlier match, to four points each and at the top of the table. The UAE and Qatar are on a point apiece, and the national team face Oman in a must-win game in the final group phase on Friday.
Coach Paulo Bento remains confident in the UAE’s chances of advancing to the next round of the Arabian Gulf Cup, despite defeat to hosts Kuwait at the Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium.
“The situation is difficult, but it’s not impossible. We have to recover, we should analyse and then prepare. Of course not on the pitch because we don’t have too much time to train given that we have only 72 hours,” Bento said after the match.
“We should spend all the energy in the preparation for the next game because it’s still possible to qualify for the next round even if we know that the opponent is strong and the situation is not easy.
“We don’t know what will happen until the end of the group phase. Yes, this is the situation that we created in the game against Kuwait. I’m not making excuses but we are responsible for the situation we are in,” he added.
Issam Al Sabhi delivered a standout performance, scoring twice to lead Oman to an impressive 2-1 victory over two-time AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar. The thrilling encounter showcased determination, resilience, and clinical finishing from the Omani side, who bounced back after a challenging start.
Both teams entered the match with a sense of urgency, having drawn their opening fixtures. For Qatar, victory seemed well within reach when Almoez Ali found the net just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to give his side an early advantage. The quick goal injected confidence into the Qatari ranks, but Oman refused to back down.
Oman gradually grew into the game, pressing higher up the pitch and creating opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 20th minute when they earned a penalty after sustained pressure on Qatar’s defense. Stepping up with composure, Sabhi confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and leveling the scoreline.
Buoyed by the equalizer, Oman returned from halftime with renewed energy and purpose. Their determination was rewarded in the 52nd minute when Ali Al Busaidi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank. Timing his run perfectly, Sabhi met the ball with precision, sweeping it past the Qatari goalkeeper to complete his brace and give Oman the lead.
Despite Qatar’s attempts to mount a comeback, Oman’s defense held firm, repelling waves of attacks and maintaining their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The victory not only boosted Oman’s morale but also strengthened their position in the tournament, with Sabhi emerging as the undisputed hero of the night.
