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AFC/TNN
Doha
Bahrain sealed their place in the final of the 2019 Gulf Cup, defeating Iraq 5-3 on penalties in a thrilling semi-final at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday.
In a match which ended 2-2 after extra-time, with all four goals scored in the first half, Bahrain proved the sharper of the two teams from the penalty spot.
In the penalty shootout, Iraq’s Mohammad Qasem failed to score with his kick going too far to the left for the ball to sail far from the goal post.
Ali Faez Atia, Dhurgham Ismael and Ibrahim Bayesh had earlier found the target for Iraq all shooting to the right of the goalkeeper.
For Bahrain, Ali Madan struck the winning goal from the spot after Mohammaed al Hardan, Jasim al Shaikh, Mohamed Marhoon and Thiago Augusto had made no mistakes.
Incidentally, it was the Qasem who had provided a famous start to Iraq scoring two goals in their 2-1 win over hosts Qatar in the opening Group A match.
The 22-year-old midfielder was inconsolable after his team’s loss.
Iraq had a dream start to the match, opening the scoring after only six minutes through Muhanad Ali, who pounced when Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar failed to hold on to Alaa Abdulzahraa’s powerful free-kick.
Bahrain were far from disheartened as they pushed forward and drew level on 15 minutes with Abdulla Al Hazaa heading home a cross past Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hasan.
Bahrain’s joy lasted only three minutes as Amjad Attwan sent a lovely cross from the back to Ibrahim Bayesh, who sneaked behind the defenders before chipping the ball over the advancing Shubbar.
Bahrain equalised in added time as Mohamed Marhoon (pictured below) controlled the ball with his chest before slotting the ball into the net.
Both teams had chances to go ahead in the second half, with Bahrain coming closest through Mohamed Abdulwahab, whose effort was parried by Iraq goalkeeper Hassan two minutes into the restart while Iraq’s Muhanad Ali saw his volley go just wide in the 73rd minute.
Extra time failed to separate the sides and the tie was decided when Iraq’s Mohammed Qasem failed to convert from the penalty spot as Bahrain moved within a game of adding to the 2019 WAFF (West Asian Football Federation Championship) Championship title they won in August at Iraq’s expense.
For Bahrain, it will be their fifth appearance in the Gulf Cup finals since they first appeared in one in 2003. They are still seeking their maiden title triumph.
Doha
Bahrain sealed their place in the final of the 2019 Gulf Cup, defeating Iraq 5-3 on penalties in a thrilling semi-final at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday.
In a match which ended 2-2 after extra-time, with all four goals scored in the first half, Bahrain proved the sharper of the two teams from the penalty spot.
In the penalty shootout, Iraq’s Mohammad Qasem failed to score with his kick going too far to the left for the ball to sail far from the goal post.
Ali Faez Atia, Dhurgham Ismael and Ibrahim Bayesh had earlier found the target for Iraq all shooting to the right of the goalkeeper.
For Bahrain, Ali Madan struck the winning goal from the spot after Mohammaed al Hardan, Jasim al Shaikh, Mohamed Marhoon and Thiago Augusto had made no mistakes.
Incidentally, it was the Qasem who had provided a famous start to Iraq scoring two goals in their 2-1 win over hosts Qatar in the opening Group A match.
The 22-year-old midfielder was inconsolable after his team’s loss.
Iraq had a dream start to the match, opening the scoring after only six minutes through Muhanad Ali, who pounced when Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar failed to hold on to Alaa Abdulzahraa’s powerful free-kick.
Bahrain were far from disheartened as they pushed forward and drew level on 15 minutes with Abdulla Al Hazaa heading home a cross past Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hasan.
Bahrain’s joy lasted only three minutes as Amjad Attwan sent a lovely cross from the back to Ibrahim Bayesh, who sneaked behind the defenders before chipping the ball over the advancing Shubbar.
Bahrain equalised in added time as Mohamed Marhoon (pictured below) controlled the ball with his chest before slotting the ball into the net.
Both teams had chances to go ahead in the second half, with Bahrain coming closest through Mohamed Abdulwahab, whose effort was parried by Iraq goalkeeper Hassan two minutes into the restart while Iraq’s Muhanad Ali saw his volley go just wide in the 73rd minute.
Extra time failed to separate the sides and the tie was decided when Iraq’s Mohammed Qasem failed to convert from the penalty spot as Bahrain moved within a game of adding to the 2019 WAFF (West Asian Football Federation Championship) Championship title they won in August at Iraq’s expense.
For Bahrain, it will be their fifth appearance in the Gulf Cup finals since they first appeared in one in 2003. They are still seeking their maiden title triumph.
