Riyadh: Yemen recorded more than one point in a Gulf Cup for the first time in their history with a goalless draw over Qatar on Sunday.
The result followed a similar goalless draw over Bahrain in last Thursday’s opener, which was Yemen’s first Gulf Cup point since 2007. It now sets-up Yemen — who have never won a Gulf Cup game or qualified from the group — for a decisive last group game encounter with hosts Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Yemen’s Abdul Al Matari came closest on the half-hour mark after shooting just wide off the post from a diagonal through ball.
Qatar then woke up late when Hassan Khalid, Mashael Abdullah and Esmail Mohammad all wasted efforts, enabling Yemen to hold on for a historic second point.
Yemen coach Miroslav Soukup was delighted with the draw and thanked the fans who had come out in their thousands to back the tournament’s underdog.
“I don’t know if I’ve changed history,” said Soukup. “Because I haven’t trained for history, I trained for the result.
For us to draw against Qatar is like Qatar drawing with Argentina.The difference between us both in terms of world ranking points is the same. We are 90 positions below Qatar in the world rankings, Qatar are the same behind Argentina.
“Qatar are a really strong side but I have small heroes in my team, we can only try to do something, quality is not on our side. We may not have the best team but we have the best supporters and I want to say thank you to them.
“They were here in the stadium and watching on TV in their millions. The reason we have two draws is because we have 12 players on the pitch.”
Soukup then seized the post-match conference to appeal for much-needed change inside the Yemen Football Association.
“We started preparation five months ago and we haven’t cried for our job because the situation is difficult. We don’t have a grass pitch or recovery centre. We only train on an artificial field.
“If we want to change something and push on — we should not only change coaches or style of play, but many points inside the Yemen Federation.”
Of Yemen’s decisive final group game against hosts Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Soukup refused to give up hope. “We prepare for the next game as we did with the two before,” he added. “We hope for a fast recovery in order for a good scrap with Saudi.
“I want to win against Saudi. We want to win every game. I said before the tournament I want to win the Gulf Cup, but to win the tournament you have to win every game.
“But the Saudi team is very good and it won’t be easy because they are hosts and the stadium may be too powerful in the last game.”
