Saudi Arabia qualifies for the semi-finals of the 27th Gulf Cup after defeating Oman 3-0

The Saudi national team reached the semi-final stage of the 27th Gulf Cup in Jeddah, after its exciting victory over Oman by 3-0 in the second round of the tournament, through which it secured promotion from Group A, regardless of its next match against Iraq next Tuesday.

The Saudi team began its tournament with a 1-0 win over Kuwait, thus topping the group with six points and clinching qualification before its third match.

Iraq occupies second place with four points after its 3-2 victory over Kuwait. The struggle for the second qualification card from the group takes place through the third round of its matches, which witnesses Iraq meeting with Saudi Arabia and Oman, which is in third place with one point, with Kuwait, whose exit from the first round has already been confirmed.

The three goals for the Saudi national team came in the first half and were scored by Firas Al-Braikan (first and third) and Hassan Kadish, while a goal by Omani Nasser Al-Rawahi was canceled in the same half due to offside.

The Saudi team made a strong start, and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat shot a powerful ball that went over the crossbar. Then Saudi Arabia opened the scoring in the 11th minute with the first goal by Al-Braikan, who received a cross from Abu Al-Shamat and headed it into the net.

Seconds later, Saudi Arabia almost got a penalty kick because Sultan Mandash was obstructed by Ahmed Al Kaabi, but the referee indicated to continue playing after reviewing the video technology.

Saudi Arabia added its second goal in the 18th minute, when Kadesh received the ball from a corner kick executed by Abu Al-Shamat, and headed the ball into the net. Al-Braikan continued his brilliance to add his second and third goal for his country in the 34th minute, as he exchanged the ball brilliantly with Mandash and then shot with his left foot into the net.

The Saudi goal was conceded less than two minutes later by Al-Rawahi, who launched and shot a ball that passed over goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais and into the net, but the referee did not count it as a goal due to offside, and confirmed his decision after returning to video technology. Oman intensified its offensive pressure in the second half, and Al-Rawahi shot a shot that was blocked by the post in the 48th minute, and Al-Owais blocked another shot from Issam Al-Subhi in the 56th minute.

Omani goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini also excelled in stopping more than one dangerous ball to preserve his country’s hopes of returning in the match and reducing the difference to enhance the hope of qualifying through the third round, but the Saudi national team maintained its lead until the final whistle to secure qualification to the semi-finals with a clean sheet.