BASRA, Jan 12: Iraq has qualified for the semi-finals of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Championship, after it defeated Yemen 5-0. Oman joined the hosts with 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. Mustafa Nazim opened the scoring in the 40th minute, Amjad Atwan in the 64th minute, and Ayman Hussein in the 74th and 75th minutes, while the Yemenis woes was compounded by Hussein Ali in the 88th minute.

In the other match, which was held at the same time, the Omani were able to book the second qualification ticket after their victory over their Saudi counterparts with Al Munther Al Alawi and Hareb Al Saadi scoring for Oman, while Turki Al Ammar scored for Saudi Arabia Iraq came in first place on goal difference with Oman in second, while Saudi Arabia got third place with three points, and Yemen place points. Tomorrow, Friday, the semi-finals will be held, as the last round matches of Group Two will be played between Kuwait and Bahrain, while Qatar will face the Emirates.

Kuwait National Football Team Coach Rui Bento said on Thursday that the team are ready to face the Bahrainis . Speaking in a news conference in Basra, the coach advised the players “to focus more” in the forthcoming match, affirming that the team “is continuously evolving and the players’ performance is also improving,” vowing to secure harmony in the formation. Excerpts of the news conference were publicized by the Iraqi Football Association. Bahrain are leading with six points, followed by Qatar, three, ahead of Kuwait on goals’ difference, and the UAE with no points. (KUNA)