Kuwait City: Oman powered into the semifinals of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup after holding UAE 1-1 in their last match of Group A in Kuwait City on Friday night.
Abdulrahman al Mushaifri netted the decisive equaliser for the Red Warriors in 79th minute after a nice assist from Al Munther al Alawi at the Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah Stadium.
Till the time, UAE were leading through Yahya al Ghassani’s strike in the 20th minute from a scorching cross from Khaled Ebrahim.
Player of the match Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini saved a crucial penalty in the dying minutes of the match when he denied UAE’s Fabio Lima (90+5) to confirm the Red Warriors presence in the semifinal of the Gulf Cup.
The draw ensured Oman’s progress to the last-four stage after earning five points from the three matches. Oman topped Group A on the fair-play record after Kuwait also finished on five points with the same goal difference.
In the other match of Group A, Qatar held hosts Kuwait to a 1-1 draw in the final moment of the match at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium.
After a goalless first-half, Kuwait opened the scoring in the 74th minute through Mohammed Daham. Qatar equalised in the 11th additional minute when Mohammed Muntari’s header found the net.
UAE and Qatar were out of the tournament with two points each.
Oman’s opponents in the semifinals will be confirmed on Saturday after the final matches of Group B.
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