Riyadh: Qatar recorded a third successive point in a goalless draw with Bahrain in their final Gulf Cup group game at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Wednesday.
But thanks to hosts Saudi Arabia’s 1-0 win over Yemen – held simultaneously at the King Fahd International Stadium – it was just enough to see the Maroons progress second from Group A with three points.
Saudi top the group with seven points, while Bahrain and Yemen both slip out of the competition on two points.
Qatar had a goal disallowed inside the first quarter after Karim Boudiaf was ruled offside when tapping in Hassan Khalid’s cross from a free kick.
The Maroons’ Abdul Qader Ilyas then over hit his first touch in front of goal from a cross, which otherwise had him clear through, onside and with plenty of time to place his shot.
Bahrain had a shout for handball turned down in the area after Ebrahim Madjid appeared to shoulder it clear, before Abdul Wahab Al Malood struck over from Sami Al Hussaini’s cross before the break.
The Reds continued that late first half momentum after the interval when Esmail Abdul Latif struck over from a penetrative pass into the box.
But up the other end both Esmail Mohammad and Ilyas came close for Qatar.
Bahrain’s Al Hussaini was found wanting at the back post from a cross, and Mohammad Mahorfi’s header down to Abdullah Al Hazaa in the six yard box was quickly pounced upon by the keeper before the hour.
Qatar’s Hassan Khalid then had a shot tipped over as the pressurised Maroons mounted some semblance of a fightback.
The best of Bahrain’s chances came on the hour from Al Malood’s pass wide on the edge of the area to Al Husaini, who struck wide.
The Maroons refused to give up hope with Abdul Karim Hassan’s one-two with Hassan Khalid teeing up the former for an effort palmed wide.
Abdul Aziz Hatem then struck wide from a corner with ten minutes remaining.
Bahrain could have stolen a late winner when a corner was punched clear by the keeper only to fall as far as Rashid Al Hooti, whose cross, headed at goal by Abdullah Hazaa, was cleared of the line by Boualem Khoukhi.
