Football – Saudi Arabia defeated Iraq 3-1 yesterday to finish top of Group B in the Arabian Gulf Cup and book their place in the last four of the Kuwait tournament.
Needing just a point to progress, two late goals from substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan, following an earlier strike from his Al Hilal colleague Salem Al Dawsari, produced victory and meant that the Green Falcons stayed on course for a first regional title since 2004.
Both teams had chances in the first half, but 10 minutes into the second, Herve Renard’s men – who lost the opening game against Bahrain – got the breakthrough they had been looking for. Ibrahim Bayesh was judged by VAR to have handled in the area to give Saudi Arabia a penalty.
Al Dawsari had missed his last two spot kicks for the national team, but the 2022 Asian player of the year showed few signs of nerves as he stroked the ball home to give his team a vital lead.
However, after 64 minutes Iraq were level. Mohanad Ali turned Ali Al Bulaihi inside the area to shoot home inside the near post to give the holders real hope.
There were plenty of nerves among the kingdom’s fans but the team restored their lead with nine minutes remaining following a delightful strike. Sultan Al Ghannam pulled the ball back from the right side of the area for Al Hamdan to take a touch and curl the ball into the top corner of the Iraqi net.
Five minutes later and it was all over. Al Dawsari skipped clear of challenges in the Iraqi half to feed Al Hamdan on the left corner of the area and the forward rolled the ball into the opposite side of the net with a precise low shot.
The result meant Saudi Arabia finished top of the group with six points, above Bahrain. The Green Falcons take on hosts Kuwait in the semifinals on Tuesday.
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