Saudi Arabia reach Gulf Cup semi-finals as Iraq leave it late against Kuwait

Saudi Arabia advance to the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup after a dominant win over Oman in Jeddah. Feras Al Buraikan scored twice, and Hassan Kadesh netted the third goal as Saudi Arabia claimed their second consecutive Group A victory. The team now sits with six points after a 1-0 win over Kuwait to kick off their campaign. Saudi Arabia will face Iraq in their final Group A fixture on Tuesday; meanwhile, Iraq secured a dramatic 3-2 win against Kuwait, with substitute Karrar Nabeel scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time.

The match saw Zidane Iqbal put Iraq ahead early in the second half, and Yousef Nasser equalized from the penalty spot. Both teams scored once more before Nabeel's late goal sealed the victory for Iraq, leaving them with four points in Group A. Iraq coach Graham Arnold praised his team's focus throughout the game, while Kuwait coach Georgios Donis expressed disappointment with the performance in the second half, citing injuries and Oman's chances as factors.

The attention now shifts to Group B on Sunday, with the UAE hosting Bahrain in their second match. The UAE, who began their campaign with a 4-0 win over Yemen, will need another three points to secure their spot in the semi-finals. Head coach Zlatko Dalic warned against underestimating Bahrain, describing them as an experienced and stable team with a strong fighting spirit.

Dalic emphasized the UAE's focus on giving their best and securing the win to guarantee qualification, stating that they are not among the favorites to win the title.