Oman and Kuwait advanced to the semifinals of the 19th Gulf Cup tournament from Group A in Muscat on Saturday. Host Oman toped the group with seven points after recording a 2-0 win over Bahrain at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Muscat. Badr Al-Mimani and Fawzi Basher scored the two goals to help Oman secure its second straight win. Nine-time winner Kuwait, meanwhile, also advanced finishing second in the group with five points following a 1-1 draw with Iraq. Bahrain and Iraq finished third and fourth respectively and were knocked out of the competition. The Omani side came to Bahrain clash looking for an early lead and was duly backed by its home crowds. Bahrain could hold the home side for only 14 minutes when Badr Al-Mimani finally scored the opener for Oman. Bolton keeper Ali Al-Habsi stood firm against a barrage of attempts by Bahraini strikers looking for an equalizer but to no avail. In the 30th minute, Bahrain almost equalized when Alaa Hubail sent a long shot over the bars of Al-Habsi. Four minutes later, Hubail assisted Salman Issa with a short pass inside the box but Isaa failed to convert it. Realizing that one goal lead was not enough Oman renewed its efforts to put the score beyond any doubt. In the 65th minute, the bar saved oman when Abdullah Fatab's blast bounced off the bar. Fawzi Basher doubled Omani lead in the 72nd minute through his solo effort. Hassan Rabia almost added the third for Oman 10 minutes from time but Bahrain's goalkeeper denied him the chance with a last minute touch. In the second match, Ahmed Al-Khalaf put Kuwait ahead in the 37th minute but Alaa Abdu Zahra equalized for Iraq in the 66th minute. Oman will face Group B runnerup while Kuwait will clash with the Group B leader. __
