JEDDAH: Qatar edged Yemen 1-0 in their second Group B match of Gulf Cup 27 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Sunday to strengthen their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Yusuf Abdurisag scored the only goal in the 64th minute as Qatar secured their second successive victory after opening their campaign with a 2-0 win over Bahrain.
Qatar dominated possession from the start but found it difficult to break down a well-organised Yemen defence, with goalkeeper Mohammed Aman producing a series of impressive saves to keep his side in the contest.
Yemen created the first major opportunity in the 24th minute, but Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada made an important save to deny the Yemen attack.
Qatar responded quickly as Akram Afif tested Aman with a shot from inside the box in the 25th minute, before the Yemen goalkeeper produced another save from Afif's effort three minutes later.
Yemen continued to threaten and Abdulwasea al Matari forced another save from Abu Nada in the 38th minute, with the first half ending goalless.
Qatar were dealt an early blow when defender Issa Laye was forced off with an injury, with Jassem Gaber coming on as his replacement.
After the break, Qatar increased the pressure and Ayyoub Al Alawi came close with a header that went just wide of the post.
The breakthrough finally came in the 64th minute when Abdurisag found the net to put Qatar ahead.
Qatar came close to doubling their advantage when Ahmed Alaa struck the crossbar, while Al Alawi then forced another save from Aman.
Qatar were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute, but Akram Afif saw his effort saved by Aman, who continued to keep Yemen within touching distance.
Yemen pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but Qatar held on to claim all three points.
Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh officiated the match, assisted by compatriots Mohammed al Khalaf and Ahmed al Ruwaili. Iraq's Zaid Thamer was the fourth official, while Saudi Arabia's Sultan al Harbi served as the VAR referee and China's Fu Ming as assistant VAR. UAE's Hamad al Mazrouei was the referee assessor.
The result moved Qatar to six points from two matches, while Yemen were eliminated from the tournament after suffering their second consecutive defeat without a point.
The second round of Group B will be completed on Sunday night when Bahrain face the United Arab Emirates, with the outcome set to complete the standings ahead of the final round of group matches.
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