Agencies
Basra (Iraq)
Hosts Iraq moved closer to the region’s most coveted football title by entereing the final of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup with a 2-1 win over Qatar in the first semi-final played at the Basra International Stadium on Monday.
Having made the Gulf Cup final after ten years, Iraq will meet Oman in the summit clash on Thursday. Oman edged Bahrain 1-0 riding on Jameel Al Yahmadi’s 83rd minute goal.
Backed by a partisan 60,000 crowd, the Lions of Mesapotamia began in right earnest against a young Qatar side as Ibrahim Bayesh put them ahead with a strike in the 19th minute.
The joy was however short-lived as Amro Siraj found the equaliser for Qatar in the 28th minute.
Iraq’s Aymen Hussein then put the hosts ahead again with a goal in the 43rd minute, which proved decisive as Asian champions Qatar failed to break down the rival defence in the second half. The hosts had the first few chances with Hussein’s run on the left flank causing trouble in Qatar defence.
Iraq continued to control the tempo of the game for the majority of the half, but Qatar’s Siraj eventually got a chance on goal after running past his marker, only for his effort to be ruled offside.
Moments later, Iraq tookthe lead after the Qatari goalkeeper couldn’t hold the ball and it laid squarely on Bayesh’s feet who couldn’t miss in an open goal.
Qatar fought back and Siraj, whose first time volley found the equaliser to open up the game.
Iraq went ahead just before half-time following a Qatari defensive blunder as Amjad Attwan teed off Hussein, who chipped the ball over the goalie’s head for the goal.
For the rest of the match, Iraq resorted to a high defensive line despite the Qatari threats. Long balls to striker Hussein became a frequent strategy.
While the rather tall and quick striker managed to win some aerial duels, he never controlled the ball for a shot before a defender intervened.
Speaking after the match, Qatar’s coach Bruno Pinheiro said: “I am proud what the team has achieved here without much experience and the players should also be proud of their performance here.” .
“But, we didn’t play as a team today and gave spaces to Iraq letting them score. Iraq also had an extra day for rest which went in their favour,” he added.
“I wish luck to Iraq in the final and I want to thank the Iraqi fans for supporting us in the tournament.”
Iraq coach Jesús Casas said the Lions of Mesopotamia deserved the victory. “I am happy with my team as all players worked towards the win. Our defense was very good against Qatar,” he said.
“Our aim was to close spaces in the final third and not allow them to make passes. It is impossible to avoid mistakes in football and we made one that cost us a goal,” he added.
“Now we can think about winning the title and the players are itching for it,” he said.
