Al-Owais sends Saudi Arabia into Gulf Cup final after Qatar shootout drama
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Saudi Arabia booked their place in the Arabian Gulf Cup 27 final on Saturday after defeating Qatar 3-2 on penalties, following a goalless 120 minutes in their semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The hosts will face the United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s title decider.
Neither side could find a breakthrough during regulation or extra time. Saudi Arabia enjoyed the stronger attacking spells, while Qatar remained difficult to break down and nearly stole the match late in normal time when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar.
The contest was eventually settled from the spot. Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Mohamed Kanno and Mukhtar Ali converted for Saudi Arabia, with Mukhtar scoring the decisive penalty. Hassan Tambakti and Firas Al-Buraikan failed to convert their attempts.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais emerged as one of Saudi Arabia’s key figures, denying Jassem Gaber and Boualem Khoukhi in the shootout. Khoukhi’s penalty was ordered to be retaken, but Al-Owais stopped him again.
Saudi Arabia will now attempt to win the Gulf Cup for the first time since 2004. Their opponents, the UAE, secured the other place in the final with a 1-0 victory over Oman through Ousmane Camara’s first-half goal. The final is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, in Jeddah.
