The Peninsula
Hosts Iraq and Oman booked the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup final after winning their respective semi-finals in Basra on Monday.
The home team defeated Asian champions Qatar 2-1 at the Basra International Stadium to remain on course for a fourth title before Oman knocked out defending champions Bahrain with a 1-0 victory at Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium.
The final will be played at the Basra International Stadium on Thursday with Oman hoping to seal their third crown.
Iraq, backed by a partisan crowd at the packed 60000-seat venue, were a better side pressing right from the start as Qatar tried to take control with ball possession.
Iraq took the lead in 19th minute when Ibrahim Bayesh scored on a rebound after Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham blocked Mustafa Nadhim’s header following a free kick by Amir Al Ammari from 20 yards.
Amro Siraj brought Qatar back into the semi-final with his second goal of the tournament netting a volley past Jalal Hassan in 28th minute after the Iraqi goalkeeper punched away a back heel fluffed by Ahmed Alaaeldin.
Striker Aymen Hussein regained lead for the hosts two minutes before half-time after his hit from edge of the box took Jassem Gaber’s touch and bounced over Barsham to land into the net.
Qatar failed to pose threat to Iraq’s lead, and in fact the home side came close to extending their several times in the half-time taking four shots on target in the session.
Barsham was superb in the second half making a fabulous dive on his left to clear a brilliant free kick by Dhurgham Ismael in the 72nd minute. Shortly after, the Al Sadd goalkeeper rose to palm away Aymen’s goal-bound header.
Iraq’s Amjad Attwan should have scored in fifth minute of injury time but his low hit was off target when he had only Barsham to beat.
Qatar fielded a young side in the tournament resting most of their senior players after the FIFA World Cup.
Though not satisfied with Al Annabi performance in the semi-final, Qatar coach Bruno Pinheiro praised team’s overall show in the tournament that saw them defeating 10-time champions Kuwait and drawing against the United Arab Emirates in the group stage.
“I am proud what the team has achieved here without much experience and the players should also be proud of themselves for their performance,” Pinheiro told a post-match press conference.
“But, we didn’t play as a team today and gave spaces to Iraq letting them score. Iraq also had an extra day for rest which went in their favour,” he added.
“I wish luck to Iraq in the final and I want to thank the Iraqi fans for supporting us in the tournament.”
Iraq coach Jesús Casas said the Lions of Mesopotamia deserved the victory.
“I am happy with my team as all players worked towards the win. Our defense was very good against Qatar,” said Casas.
“Our aim was to close spaces in the final third and not allow Qatar to make passes. It is impossible to avoid mistakes in football and we made one that cost us a goal,” he added.
“Now we can think about winning the title and the players are itching for it,” he said.
Al Yahmadi stunner takes Oman into final
The second semi-final saw a thrilling contest between Oman and Bahrain, who were eyeing their second successive triumph after their maiden title in Qatar in 2019.
Both the teams shared ball possession and continued to exchange attacks in the two halves but were unable to score.
It took a stunning effort from Jameel Al Yahmadi to break the deadlock in 83rd minute and seal victory for Oman.
The 26-year-old, who plays for Qatari club Al Markhiya, hit the winner on the top corner from 10 yards outside the box, giving no chance to Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohammed Jaffer with his clinical hit.