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UAE storm into Gulf Cup semis

UAE flew into semifinals of the 20th Gulf Cup after outclassing Bahrain 3-1 in the final round of the group stage at the 22nd May Stadium in Aden, Yemen on Monday night.

UAE finished at the top of Group B with five points ahead of runners-up Iraq on goals difference. UAE will take on Saudi Arabia and Iraq will line up against Kuwait on Thursday. Defending champions Oman bowed out after their goalless draw against Iraq.

UAE led 2-1 at half-time. Subait Khater broke the deadlock in the 4^th minute through a beautiful free kick and Fares Jumaa headed home the second goal in the 8^th minute which was assisted by Khater. Bahrain fought back and Abdullah Fatai pulled one back to make it 1-2 in the 35^th minute. Ahmed Jumaa who replaced Saeed Al Kas in the second half added the third goal in the 64^th minute with a beautiful move and a great finish.

Both sides started the game with clear offensive intentions but the UAE were the better side on the pitch in the opening minutes of the crucial tie.

Ismail Al Hammadi who started the game for the first time since the kick off of the tournament made all the difference upfront. The brilliant Al Ahli forward operated from the left flank and made a smooth advance before being brought down ahead of the box and the Qatari referee Khamis Al Marri awarded him a free kick. Subait Khater sent a well placed shot to beat the Bahraini keeper in great style.

Thereafter, the boys in white continued to attack their opponents and Al Hammadi was again brought down by the Bahraini defenders on the mouth of the box. Khater crossed to Fares Jumaa who was perfectly poised inside the box to double the score-line with a lovely header.

Meanwhile, Al Hammadi who have eventually returned to his best form continued to cause a real headache for the Bahraini defenders and left them without a solution but to foul him. Nearly all the Bahraini defenders have picked yellow cards on the account of their tough tackling against Al Hammadi.

Towards the hour mark approximately, the UAE coach Srecko Katanec pulled out their injured skipper Saeed Al Kas and sent in Ahmed Jumaa. Four minutes later, Jumaa outpaced the Bahraini defenders to make the best of a perfect through from Al Hammadi to increase the advantage to 3-1. The third goal gave the Whites the upper hand and has virtually put the UAE through and sent Bahrain home.

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