JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Group B opening match against Qatar in the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup Championship ended in a goalless draw. Both teams shared an equal amount of attacks and counterattacks with the Qatari side showing a slightly better performance in the second half.
The defending champions, UAE, topped the group with three points after defeating Yemen 3-1 in Group B’s opening match. Saudi Arabia entered the first half playing a 4-4-2 formation with Yaser Al-Qahtani and Malek Muaz on the striking line. Saudi Arabia dominated the midfield in the first half but was unable to score. Qatari defenders kept Al-Qahtani on watch allowing him little room to maneuver; Muaz was out of formation and less of a danger.
Both teams in the second half looked for an early goal. The second half passed quicker than the first with Qatar controlling the midfield most of the time forcing the Saudi side to rely on long passes to Al-Qahtani and Muaz.
The Saudi coach substituted Muaz and Ahmad Al-Fareedi with Naser Al-Shamrani and Ahmad Al-Mousa to add pressure on the Qatari side, but with no effect. He then brought in Tayseer Al-Jasim to activate the midfield but again with no luck.
In the UAE-Yemen match, Muhammad Omar was first to score for the UAE in the sixth minute through a penalty kick. Ismaeel Hammadi gave UAE a second goal in the 14th minute to end the first half 2-0. Muhammad Al-Shehi sealed UAE’s third goal in the 60th minute. Yemen’s only goal was scored by Ali Al-Nunu in the 90th minute. The match saw two red cards, one for each side. The UAE win leaves Yemen at the bottom of the group with no points.
Action will resume tomorrow with the host Oman facing Iraq, and Kuwait facing Bahrain. Oman will try hard to collect three points after drawing its opening match against Kuwait 0-0.
Iraq suffered a huge loss by losing against Bahrain 3-1 in the opening match, and will be trying to win the match to keep alive their hopes of staying in the tournament. Kuwait has little chance of winning against Bahrain but will be determined to collect three points and an early qualifier to the next round.
