Hosts Iraq thrashed Yemen 5-0 to end their Group A stage as toppers in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup at Basra International Stadium in Iraq on Thursday night.
Defender Mustafa Nadhim, Ayman Hussein (2 goals), Amjad Atwan and Hussein Ali were the scorers for Iraq, who dominated the match to end the group campaign on seven points.
Iraq dominated the first half. They missed four shots before Mustafa Nadhim scored the first goal from a Hussein Ali pass in the 40th minute. The Yemen team managed only one shot on target.
Iraq stepped up their efforts in the second half that resulted in three goals.
Amjad Atwan netted the second goal in the 64th minute.
Then Aymen Hussein scored a quick brace, first converting a penalty in the 74th minute and then a field goal the very next minute as Iraq went 4-0 up in no time.
Hussein Ali completed the scoreline with a goal in the 88th minute.
Yemen’s Ahmed Abdel-Hakim al Soruri and Abdul Wasea al Matari got yellow cards in the second half, while both the coaches made five changes during the match.
Yemen suffered their third loss of the tournament and have no points.
Group A toppers Iraq will wait for the second-placed team of Group B, while Oman take on the Group B winners in the semifinals.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
