Hosts Iraq sinks Saudi Arabia 2-0

Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Monday evening at a near-waterlogged Basra International Stadium to go top of Group A after two games in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Ibrahim Bayesh’s first-half goal put the hosts in control before Aso Rostam sealed the win just before the end.

It means that in the final round of games in the group on Thursday, a point for Iraq against Yemen will be enough, while Saudi Arabia will probably have to beat Oman to progress.

Torrential rain made the game almost unplayable and it did not help that Oman and Yemen had played on the same surface earlier in the day.

Running with the ball was almost impossible and it was only long balls that made an impact. Any attempt at the short game failed more often than not.