Bahrain to meet Oman in Gulf Cup semi-final

MUSCAT: Defending champions Bahrain were held by 10-man Kuwait to a 1-1 draw on Friday but the scoreline was enough for the holders to set up a semi-final clash with Oman in the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra, Iraq.

The draw helped Bahrain top Group B and they now take on two-time champions Oman on Monday for a place in the final. The match kicks off at 5.15pm.

Oman had defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their concluding Group A match on Thursday to finish second in the group behind hosts Iraq. The hosts had trounced Yemen 5-0 to top the group on goal-difference with Oman. In the other Group B game on Friday, Qatar drew with the UAE 1-1 to finish second behind Bahrain. Both the semi-finals will be played on Monday with the winning teams to clash for the coveted title on January 19.

Bahrain topped the group with seven points while Kuwait bowed out after earning four points and lost out the second spot to Qatar on goal-difference. Qatar take on Iraq (9.15 pm) in the second semi-final match on Monday.

Against Kuwait, Bahrain scored the first goal in the 26th minute through Mahdi al Humaidan right-footer. Shabib al Khaldi got the Kuwait equaliser just before the half-time with a header. The teams failed to break the stalemate in the second half.

In the other match on Friday night, Qatar drew with the UAE 1-1 at Al Mina’a International Stadium. The teams were locked goalless at the end of the first half.

UAE’s Fabio Delima broke the deadlock in the 77th minute but Tamim Mansoor Miftah got the needed equaliser for Qatar in the 88th minute.