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Saudi Arabia beat Iraq to reach the Gulf Cup semifinals
Saudi Arabia beat Iraq 2-0 in the final match of Group A at the Gulf Cup to finish top with 9 points. After Oman defeated Kuwait 3-1, Iraq and Oman will enter a draw to determine the second semifinalist.
Saudi Arabia finished top of Group A at the Gulf Cup after beating Iraq 2-0. Abdullah Al Salim and Abdullah Al-Hamdan scored the goals that secured the victory for Saudi Arabia at Al-Inma Stadium, located in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Goals came in the second half
Iraq came close to scoring in the 38th minute of a fiercely contested first half when Saif Rashid found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. The referee, however, ruled the play offside.
Ibrahim Bayesh came on for Iraq in the closing stages of the half, replacing the injured Mustafa Sadoun. Saudi Arabia head coach Georgios Donis also made a change at the start of the second half, bringing on Mohammed Al-Qahtani for Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat.
Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 54th minute through Abdullah Al Salim. Al Salim collected the ball after the Iraq goalkeeper made an ill-judged attempt to clear a cross from a free kick and sent it into the net.
Donis made two more substitutions in the 59th minute, sending on Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Firas Al-Buraikan. The hosts doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Abdullah Al-Hamdan finished a pass played behind the defense with his left foot.
Second semifinalist to be decided by draw
In the other Group A match, Oman defeated Kuwait 3-1. Nasser Al-Ruwaihi scored twice for Oman, while Musab Al-Shakshi added one goal. Kuwait's only goal was scored by Shuaib Al-Khalidi.
With the result, Oman moved to 4 points and drew level with Iraq on points, goal difference, head-to-head result and fair play. Saudi Arabia's semifinal opponent will be determined by a draw between Iraq and Oman. Kuwait finished bottom of the group without earning a point.
The Gulf Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia for the fifth time, is being held in Jeddah for the first time in its history. The eight-team tournament is taking place from September 23 to October 6.
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