JEDDAH, 17 December 2004 — Qatar hit peak form at the right moment to beat Oman and qualify for the semifinals of the 17th Gulf Cup in Doha yesterday.
Despite the loss Oman, who had already qualified, still finished as the top Group A team with six points from two wins.
Qatar’s 2-1 victory gave them five points and dashed the hopes of both the United Arab Emirates and Iraq who drew their match 1-1.
The UAE and Iraq, who were hoping for a draw between Oman and Qatar, found their prayers unanswered as the hosts struck twice in the first half to clinch their first win after playing out two thrilling draws.
Midfielder Saad Al-Shummari scored Qatar’s first goal in the 10th minute, finding himself in perfect position to slot home from close range after Omani goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi had deflected the ball in his direction off a free kick by Hussain Yasser.
Oman, however, did not take the match lightly despite qualifying into the next round after just two matches and restored parity in the 26th minute through Abdullah Al-Jabonah who was left unchecked in the penalty box and found the target easily.
Qatar hit back a minute later in spectacular fashion with the nippy Waleed Jassim taking on the entire Omani defense to lay the ball across for Sayed Ali Al-Basheer who was left with the simplest of tap-ins past Al-Habsi.
Oman’s best striker Kano, wearing No. 12 jersey, was sent off when the referee showed him the red card for hard tackle minutes before the final whistle.
Oman tried their level best to find the equalizer in the second half, but couldn’t get their attacks going against a resolute Qatari backline.
In the second Group A match played at the same time, the UAE struck in the 68th minute through Faisal Khaleel.
But just when it appeared they would pull off their first win of the tournament, they were once again done in by a stoppage time snafu in the form of a penalty that was easily made to count by Iraq’s Qusay Muneer. After yesterday’s matches Oman are on top with 6 points followed by Qatar who are second with 5 points. UAE and Iraq were eliminated from the tournament with 2 points each.
Today, Saudi Arabia will take on Bahrain in their Group B crunch tie, while Kuwait will play Yemen.
Kuwait are leading the group with four points followed by Saudi Arabia who are second with three points, and can qualify for first place if Kuwait lose or draw against Yemen.
In order to qualify for the semifinals the Kingdom must have to win against Bahrain. That results will put Saudi Arabia on second place and the qualification.
Bahrain are third after gaining two points from two draws and must win in order to qualify with maximum 5 points leaving Saudi Arabia at 3 points. Yemen are at the bottom with only one point.
Arsene Wenger Fined for Old Trafford Comments
In London, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was fined 15,000 pounds ($29,220) yesterday for improper conduct following comments he made after the champions’ controversial 2-0 defeat by Manchester United in October, Reuters add.
Wenger was also “severely reprimanded and warned to his future conduct”, the Football Association (FA) said following a personal hearing.
The Frenchman had faced the charges after reportedly calling United’s Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy a cheat. Wenger denied he said this.
Speaking after the verdict, Wenger told Arsenal’s website: “Now is the time to move on. We have an important match coming up and all my thoughts are focused on our preparation for the visit to Portsmouth on Sunday.”
Arsenal said Wenger would not appeal against the FA’s decision. United’s win at Old Trafford, secured by a controversial Van Nistelrooy penalty and a late goal by England striker Wayne Rooney, ended Arsenal’s record 49-match unbeaten league run and triggered a slump in form.
Wenger was also investigated by the FA over comments he made about referee Mike Riley’s decision to award the penalty, and the ruling body looked into reports that food was thrown at United manager Alex Ferguson in the tunnel after the game.
The FA decided last month not to take either matter further.
