The UAE secured their place in the Gulf Cup 27 semifinals after defeating defending champions Bahrain 3-0 in their Group B match at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The victory gave the UAE six points from two matches and kept them at the top of the group on goal difference.
Othman Camara Gives UAE Early Lead
The UAE controlled much of the opening period and broke the deadlock in the 30th minute.
Othman Camara opened the scoring to give the UAE a 1-0 advantage. The Whites continued to dominate possession and create pressure as Bahrain struggled to contain their passing and movement in the final third.
The UAE continued their strong performance after the break and eventually extended their lead in the 66th minute.
Guilherme Bala received the ball inside the attacking area before finding the bottom corner to make it 2-0. The goal put the UAE firmly in control of the contest.
Ali Saleh Completes the 3-0 Victory
Ali Saleh added a third goal in the 88th minute to complete a convincing UAE victory.
His late strike sealed the UAE’s second consecutive win in Group B after their 4-0 victory over Yemen in their opening match.
UAE and Qatar Secure Semifinal Places
The UAE now have six points from two matches and sit above Qatar on goal difference. Qatar also secured six points after beating Yemen 1-0.
Both the UAE and Qatar have therefore confirmed their places in the semifinals, while Bahrain and Yemen have been eliminated from contention.
The UAE will face Qatar in their final Group B match on September 30. The meeting will determine which team finishes top of the group.
The UAE have scored seven goals across their first two matches, following their 4-0 victory over Yemen and 3-0 win against Bahrain.
Gulf Cup Semifinals Set for October 3
The Gulf Cup 27 semifinals are scheduled for October 3, with the final set for October 6.
The UAE will now look to maintain their strong start as they continue their campaign in Jeddah.