Doha-Saba:
The Omani and Kuwaiti national teams qualified on Friday for the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup "Gulf 26" after an exciting draw against the Emirates and Qatar.
Omani goalkeeper Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini excelled in stopping a decisive penalty kick in stoppage time, ensuring the group lead for his country's team.
The two teams caught up with their Bahraini counterpart, who qualified from Group Two with six points before the final round, while one card remains between the Iraqi national team, the title holder, and the Saudi national team before their anticipated meeting today, Saturday.
Oman was enough for one point for the win for the Emirates, who were eliminated from the group stage for the third consecutive edition after 2019 and 2023, and who have not won in their last eight matches, losing five times and drawing three matches since beating Yemen 3-0 in the "Gulf 24" in Qatar in 2019.
In the second match, the ten-time winners Kuwait celebrated qualifying for the semi-finals in the presence of more than 57,000 spectators at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
Mohammed Daham scored for Kuwait from a wonderful free kick (74), and substitute Mohammed Muntari equalized for Qatar (90+10), who settled for two points at the bottom of the group, on goal difference from the Emirates.
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