MUSCAT, OCT 3
Saudi Arabia reached the Gulf Cup 27 final after beating Qatar 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw after extra time at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Saturday night.
The Saudi team will face the winner of Oman and UAE in the final on October 6.
The first semifinal saw an attendance of 51,342 fans.
Saudi Arabia created the first clear chance in the 20th minute when Saleh Abu Al Shamat fired from outside the box, but Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada made the save.
The Green Falcons threatened again in the 38th minute as Sultan Mandash finished a move from the left with a powerful shot that Abu Nada kept out.
Two minutes later, Mohammed Mahzari sent a dangerous cross into the box, but Qatar’s defence cleared.
Qatar relied on counterattacks through Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, but Saudi Arabia’s defence contained their threat, with Mohammed al Owais largely untested.
Saudi Arabia came closest in the 81st minute when Firas Al Buraikan broke into the box and fired a powerful effort, only for Abu Nada to make another excellent save.
Qatar responded in the 88th minute through substitute Edmilson Junior, who tested Al Owais with two shots from outside the box.
Saudi Arabia launched a quick counter in the 90+2nd minute, but Qatar’s defence stopped the move.
In the extra time, the biggest moment came in the 103rd minute when Saudi Arabia appealed for a penalty after a player went down inside the box. Referee Joao Pinheiro consulted VAR before allowing play to continue.
Both sides showed signs of fatigue in the second period of extra time, with Qatar relying on long balls towards Almoez Ali and Saudi Arabia attacking through the flanks.
Neither could find a breakthrough, sending the match to penalties.
Saudi Arabia dominated the match with 62 per cent possession and 20 shots, including six on target, compared with just two shots and none on target for Qatar.
The hosts also won 12 corners to Qatar’s two and completed 659 accurate passes, while Qatar managed 381. Saudi Arabia recorded 175 attacks to Qatar’s 65.
The semifinal was officiated by a Portuguese refereeing team led by João Pinheiro, with Pedro Ribeiro and Luciano Maia as assistants.
Bahrain’s Ammar Mahfouz was the fourth official, while Fu Ming of China was the VAR and Abdullah Arab of Kuwait served as the VAR.
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