JEDDAH: The United Arab Emirates defeated Bahrain 3-1 while Iraq drew 0-0 with Oman to advance to the semifinals of the 20th Gulf Cup in Yemen Monday. The UAE reached the last four with five points and a better goal difference than Iraq, second with the same number of points. Oman, the reigning champion finished with three points, while Bahrain has one. The UAE will face Saudi Arabia while Iraq will take on Kuwait Thursday. Esmail Al-Hammadi and Subait Khater played major role in the win after Al-Hammadi was fouled twice and Subait scored from the first free kick in the fourth minute before sending the second free kick, three minutes later, to Faris Juma who headed home the second goal. Bahrain tried to bounce back in the 34th minute but the UAE substitute Ahamd Juma sealed the win for his country in the 63rd minute. “The two early goals made all the difference,” said Ali Al-Wehaibi, the UAE left-winger, in a post-match television interview. “It relieved the pressure and we knew it was hard for Bahrain to come back. But we didn't fail in defense with the two-goal lead but kept attacking and put the opposition under pressure. It is indeed a great feeling to be in the semifinals when you are not expected to be there.”
