Winless Qatar exit Arab Gulf Cup tournament
The Qatar national football team held hosts Kuwait to a 1-1 draw in Group A of the 26th Arab Gulf Cup at the Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium, but failed to progress to the semifinal stages of the tournament. Qatar finished third in the group with two points, while Kuwait advanced to the semifinals with five.
Kuwait opened the scoring in the 74th minute through Mohammed Daham, but Qatar equalized deep into stoppage time with a header from Mohammed Muntari in the 90+10th minute.
Qatar approached the match with a lineup tailored for victory, aiming to secure qualification.
Ahmed Al Rawi partnered Almoez Ali in attack, with Akram Afif positioned as an influential left winger. Youssef Abdulrazzaq operated on the right flank, supported by fullbacks Homam Al Amin and Abdullah Youssef.
Qatar displayed dominance in the opening minutes, employing high pressing that allowed them to control possession and create opportunities.
In the fifth minute, Al Amin unleashed a powerful shot that sailed over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Almoez Ali's header narrowly missed the target.
Kuwait were forced to adopt a defensive stance, relying on quick counterattacks. But Qatar’s backline, led by Lucas Mendes, successfully neutralized these threats.
The Qatari players continued to press, with Almoez providing a cross that Al Rawi headed towards goal, only for goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi to make a crucial save in the 20th.
Moments later, Akram Afif’s penetrating run set up Youssef Abdulrazzaq, but the Kuwaiti defense intervened just in time.
Qatar came close again in the 35th when Al Rawi failed to capitalize on a well-placed pass from Abdullah Youssef, allowing Al Rashidi to easily collect the ball. The Kuwaiti goalkeeper continued to shine, denying Almoez’s effort following an exquisite through ball from Afif in the 38th.
A goal by Al Rawi in the 40th was disallowed due to a foul on the goalkeeper by Tariq Salman.
Despite a late first-half attempt by Kuwait’s Mohammed Daham, whose shot was comfortably handled by Salah Zakaria, Qatar ended the half on the offensive but failed to break the deadlock.
The second half began in similar fashion, with Qatar piling pressure on the Kuwaiti defense. Al Rawi’s powerful shot in the 47th was blocked, while Al Rashidi saved Almoez’s close-range effort in the 50th.
Seeking to enhance their attack, coach Luis Garcia introduced Mohammed Muntari and Abdulrahman Mustafa for Al Rawi and Youssef Abdulrazzaq.
Kuwait posed a sporadic threat on the counter. Moaz Al Enezi’s low drive narrowly missed the post in the 60th, and Mohammed Daham’s powerful efforts hit the woodwork twice in quick succession. Qatar responded with a disallowed goal in the 66th after Almoez was flagged offside.
Kuwait took the lead in the 74th when Daham’s free-kick found the back of the net. Qatar immediately intensified their efforts, and a controversial decision in the 80th saw the referee deny a penalty after consulting VAR for a foul on Almoez.
Qatar’s relentless pursuit of an equalizer nearly paid off in the 82nd when Muntari’s thunderous shot rebounded off the crossbar. Almoez’s subsequent attempt in the 87th also missed the target.
Finally, in the 90+10th minute, Muntari’s towering header, assisted by Ibrahim Al Hassan, salvaged a draw for Qatar. However, the result was insufficient to keep them in the tournament.
Qatar’s exit marks the end of a campaign filled with spirited performances but ultimately overshadowed by missed opportunities.
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