Iraq coach on his team’s loss to Bahrain “We lost on penalties due to physical stress. I congratulate the Bahrain team.” – Srecko FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019 Katanec.” Qatar bow out as Saudi Arabia set up nal clash with Bahrain Qatar’s players congratulate their Saudi Arabia counterparts at the end of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi- Saudi’s forward Abdullah al Hamdan celebrates his goal in the 28th minute during the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal with Qatar at the Al nal at Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) Janoub Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) Hamdan’s solitary strike seals the deal; Unlucky Qatar fought hard but could not breach defence despite chances AFC DOHA HOSTS and three-time cham- pions Qatar bowed out of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup as Saudi Arabia rode on a soli- tary goal to make the final of the prestigious regional tour- nament at the Al Janoub Sta- dium on Thursday. Abdulla al Hamdan was the hero, scoring in the 28th minute as Saudi Arabia sealed a meeting with Bahrain in Sunday’s final. Bahrain defeated Iraq 5-3 on penalties after their tie ended 2-2. The match saw a slow start with no notable chances in the first 20 minutes although Qa- tar had more of the ball. However, it was Saudi Arabia who took the lead with Sultan Al Ghanam com- pleting a surging run down the left by sending in a cross that was deflected by Tarek Salman. Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb tried to clear the danger but the pacey Al Hamdan did just enough to steer the ball into the net. A stung Qatar upped their tempo and had chanc - es but Almoez Ali shot wide in the 36th minute as did Abdulaziz Hatem six min- utes later. Abdulaziz Hatem had an- other opportunity in added time but Saudi Arabia goal- Saudi players rejoice winning the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal match at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) keeper Fawaz Al Qarni was perfectly placed to thwart him. Qatar immediately took control when the match re- sumed and should have lev- eled the tie in the 62nd min- ute but Abdulaziz Hatem’s inswinging corner hit the right upright, bounced of the back of goalkeeper Al Qarni before it was cleared by the Saudi defenders. Saudi Arabia were forced to play most of the second half defending but a coun- ter attack eight minutes from the end nearly resulted in a second goal only for Moham- med Kano to be denied by the crossbar. In the end, it didn’t mat- ter and Saudi Arabia can now look forward to Sunday’s final against Bahrain. Saudi players and coach Herve Renard (2nd left) celebrate the semi-nal win. (AFP) Qatar’s midelder Akram Af in action during the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal on Thursday. (AFP) Friday, December 6, 2019 11 24th Arabian Gulf Cup QATAR | OMAN | KUWAIT | SAUDI ARABIA | UAE | BAHRAIN | IRAQ | YEMEN Iraq edged out in penalty shootout Iraq’s players react to their defeat in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal against Bahrain at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) Bahrain win 5-3 on penalties after 2-2 draw ; Qasem, who had starred for Iraq in tournament opener, misses one from the spot 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 go- ing too far to the left for the ball Bahrain’s players celebrate winning the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa to sail far from the goal post. Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) 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 Bahrain supporters wave their country’s ags ahead of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup semi-nal at the struck the winning goal from Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) the spot after Mohammaed al Hardan, Jasim al Shaikh, Mo- PENALTY SHOOTOUT: 2 - 2 (AFTER EXTRA TIME) keeper Hassan two minutes hamed Marhoon and Thiago BAHRAIN Score IRAQ into the restart while Iraq’s Mu- Augusto had made no mistakes. Mohammed al Hardan 1 - 1 Ali Faez Atia hanad Ali saw his volley go just Incidentally, it was the Jasim al shaikh 2 - 2 Dhurgham Ismael wide in the 73rd minute. Qasem who had provided a Mohamed Marhoon 3 - 3 Ibrahim Bayesh Extra time failed to sepa- famous start to Iraq scoring Thiago Augusto 4 - 3 Mohammad Qasem rate the sides and the tie was two goals in their 2-1 win over Ali Madan 5 - decided when Iraq’s Moham- hosts Qatar in the opening med Qasem failed to convert Bahrain First To Kick Bahrain Wins Group A match. from the penalty spot as Bah- The 22-year-old midfield- rain moved within a game er was inconsolable after his disheartened as they pushed the advancing Shubbar. of adding to the 2019 WAFF team’s loss. forward and drew level on 15 Bahrain equalised in add- (West Asian Football Federa- Iraq had a dream start to minutes with Abdulla Al Ha- ed time as Mohamed Marhoon tion Championship) Champi- the match, opening the scor- zaa heading home a cross past (pictured below) controlled onship title they won in Au- ing after only six minutes Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hasan. the ball with his chest before gust at Iraq’s expense. through Muhanad Ali, who Bahrain’s joy lasted only slotting the ball into the net. For Bahrain, it will be their pounced when Bahrain goal- three minutes as Amjad Att- Both teams had chances to fifth appearance in the Gulf keeper Sayed Shubbar failed wan sent a lovely cross from the go ahead in the second half, with Cup finals since they first ap- to hold on to Alaa Abdulzah- back to Ibrahim Bayesh, who Bahrain coming closest through peared in one in 2003. They Iraq’s support staff try to contain an inconsolable midelder Mohammad Qasem after they lost as he raa’s powerful free-kick. sneaked behind the defenders Mohamed Abdulwahab, whose are still seeking their maiden failed to score from the spot in the semis at at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Thursday. (AFP) Bahrain were far from before chipping the ball over effort was parried by Iraq goal- title triumph. Coach Van Marwijk has Fabinho, Matip only absentees from UAE contract terminated Liverpool’s Club World Cup squad DPA CAIRO DPA LONDON DUTCH coach Bert van Mar- wijk has had his contract with LIVERPOOL named their 23- the United Arab Emirates na- man squad for this month’s tional team terminated after FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar some 10 months in charge. on Thursday. The UAE football asso- Midfielder Fabinho and ciation said in a statement the defender Joel Matip were the Six days to go: Pep’s Bayern “UAE FA board members have only regular players not in- decided to terminate the ser- cluded as they continue to re- make history in Morocco vices of the national team head UAE’s coach Bert van Marwijk. cover from injuries. coach,” and that a new coach Liverpool play their first Bayern Munich side fea- As Morocco staged the will be announced in the next to Zaccheroni in late January. match on December 18, turing Franck Ribery, Club World Cup for the first few days. Van Marwijk led the Neth- with the second to follow on AP hilipp Lahm and Toni time, Raja Casablanca had the The decision comes af- erlands to the 2010 World December 21. Kroos lifted their first FIFA honour of being the host club. ter the UAE were beaten 4-2 Cup final, was Saudi Arabia In a statement on their Virgil Van Dijk, Georginio berlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Club World Cup trophy in 2013, Though they were expected to by Qatar in the Gulf Cup on coach between 2015 and 2017 website, Liverpool said play- Wijnaldum, Dejan Lovren, Lonergan, Xerdan Shaqiri, adding to their previous global merely make up the numbers, Monday to miss out on a and was in charge of Australia ers suffering from illness or James Milner, Naby Keita, Rhian Brewster, Andy Rob- triumphs of 1976 and 2001 at they instead exceeded all expec- semi-final place. at the 2018 World Cup. He injury before the first match Roberto Firmino, Sadio ertson, Divock Origi, Curtis the Intercontinental Cup. Pep tation - beating Concacaf kings Van Marwijk, 67, has been has coached Feyenoord and can be replaced up to 24 Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Jones, Trent Alexander-Ar- Guardiola’s side did so against Monterrey and Ronaldinho’s in charge of the UAE team Borussia Dortmund among hours before kick-off. Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Hen- nold, Harvey Elliott, Neco a valiant team who defied the Atletico Mineiro to be one game since succeeding Italian Alber- others at club level. The Squad: Alisson, derson, Alex Oxlade-Cham- Williams. odds to contest the world final. away from global glory. 12 Friday, December 6, 2019 Sports Italian sports daily slammed for Lukaku ‘Black Friday’ headline AFP of black players have been tar- ROME geted with racist abuse.