Qatar players and officials celebrate after qualifying for the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-finals, yesterday.
Doha: Substitute Tamim Mansour's 88th minute goal cancelled out one from the United Arab Emirates as the Asian Champions Qatar secured a last-four berth at the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra, Iraq, yesterday.
The thrilling contest which took place at Al Minaa Olympic Stadium was not heading towards a result in favour of the three-time champions as Fabio De Lima put the UAE ahead in the 76th minute.
While Qatar needed to seal a point with Kuwait holding Bahrain 1-1 in another Group B match, Mansour came off the bench in the 59th minute before playing the rescue act as the Al Rayyan striker found the net with two minutes remaining.
Tamim’s heroics were a repeat of what his father, Al Annabi legend Mansour Muftah had performed during the inaugural Gulf Cup in 1979. Muftah scored Qatar’s lone goal against the UAE at Al Shaab Stadium in Baghdad.
Fast forward 44 years, his son matched Muftah's feat against the same opponent, that too in the same country.
The 20-year-old Tamim, who made his debut for Qatar in the tournament opener against Kuwait last week, has come through Al Rayyan youth system just like his father.
Tamim's goal yesterday, his first for Qatar senior team, came after he received a cross from Homam Al Amin and flicked it past the UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa as the whole Al Annabi camp erupted with joy.
With Kuwait failing to beat Group B leaders Bahrain at the Basra International Stadium, Qatar held on for 10 minutes stoppage time to make the last four meeting against hosts Iraq on Monday.
The defending champions, Bahrain will face Oman in the other semi-final on the same day.
Qatar finished the group stage at the second spot behind Bahrain with four points from one win and yesterday's draw.
After two successive defeats, the UAE needed to win by two clear goals and hope Bahrain beat Kuwait. But with a solitary point from three fixtures, the UAE finished bottom of the group.
Qatar’s coach Bruno Pinheiro heaped praise on the young Al Annabi outfit for not giving up until the end.
“We performed well, especially during the first half, when we enjoyed maximum possession. We created many opportunities, but lacked the finishing touch. We deserved to qualify for the semis. I am proud of the players,” the Portuguese tactician, who helped nurture most of the players when he was in charge of the national U23 team, said during the post match press conference.
“The match was difficult. Qatar Football Association’s vision is to give young players the opportunity in this tournament and in front of full stadiums. And the players have responded well, absorbed pressure and put in an excellent performance. We are excited to Iraq in the semis. This is my first visit to this country and I am surprised by the hospitality we have received here,” he added.
Earlier, Bahrain and Kuwait played out a gripping 1-1 at the packed Basra International Stadium. Mahdi Al Humaidan put Bahrain ahead in the 26th minute before Shabib Al Khaldi scored the equaliser 19 minutes later.
