Sport | Football
Al Qah'tani steers Saudis into last four
Yasser Al Qah'tani scored a 13th-minute penalty which ultimately turned out to be the match-winner and steered Saudi Arabia to the semifinals of the Gulf Cup.
- Saudi Arabian supporters enjoy their team's victory over Iraq. The victory sent the Asian Games silver medallists out of the competition.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Yasser Al Qah'tani scored a 13th-minute penalty which ultimately turned out to be the match-winner and steered Saudi Arabia to the semifinals of the Gulf Cup as group leaders while sounding the death-knell for 10-man Iraq.
Saudi Arabia will now take on the UAE in one semifinal while Oman meet Bahrain in the other semifinal.
The Saudi-Iraq match lived up to its tag as the clash between joint leaders and full credit to the Iraqis, who matched the Saudis move for move despite playing with a man short for 50 minutes.
Saudis did dominate, but took the lead when Iraqi goalkeeper Noor Sabri baulked striker Al Qah'tani and the highly-rated striker scored again off the spot.
Iraq, playing without their star striker Younis Mahmoud and midfielder Nashat Akram, however gave the Saudis a tough time with their counter-attacks.
However, the large band of Iraq supporters were stunned when referee Ali Hamad flashed the red card at Haider Aboudi Hantoush after the Iraqi brought down Al Qah'tani outside the box in a one-to-one situation.
After the break, Iraq never allowed the sending off to affect them and started on a purposeful note, using the long pass to good effect.
But when the final whistle was blown the Iraqis took some time to realise they were ousted as Bahrain's goal in the other match came in the 90th minute.
Share this article
More from Football
More from Sport
Popular in Sport

-
Golf
Realistic hope
Briton, on verge of turning 29, is among the fancied four for title
Sport Editor's choice
-
Westwood dazzles on the Earth
Briton takes two-shot lead to move closer to title as McIlroy swept away in windy conditions
-
Action from the Beach Soccer World Cup
The 2009 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup opens at the Umm Suqueim Beach in Jumeirah
-
UAE stages Asia Cup Twenty20
Three teams to qualify for Asian Games from this event Top three will join India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and China for 2010 Asian Games


