Substitute Tamim Mansour's slick 88th minute equaliser sent Qatar into the semi-finals of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup after a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Basra, Iraq, Friday.
The three-time champions were heading for exit after Fabio De Lima scored for the UAE in the 76th minute at the Al Minaa Olympic Stadium. With Kuwait holding Bahrain 1-1 in another Group B match, Qatar needed to match that result and Mansour turned out to be their saviour as the forward found the net with two regulation minutes remaining.
Tamim’s strike was a reminiscent of what his legendary father Mansour Muftah had done in the inaugural Gulf Cup in 1979, which was also hosted by Iraq. Muftah had scored Qatar’s lone goal against the UAE and 44 years later his son matched his father’s feat against the same opponent and in the same country.
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. Friday, the 20-year-old made the deftest of touches off a cross from Homam al-Amin to put it past the UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa with his teammates mobbing Tamim to celebrate his maiden senior goal.
With Kuwait unable to beat Group B toppers Bahrain in another game, Qatar held on for 10 minutes stoppage time to seal a place in the semi-finals against hosts Iraq on Monday. Defending champions Bahrain will face Oman in another semi-final on the same day.
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.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena's side made a bright start but were undone by poor finishing, including a missed penalty from Caio Canedo in the 66th minute. Qatar though had the best chance in the first half added time but striker Yusuf Abdurisag shot over the bar.
The UAE had an opening when Amro Siraj fouled Walid Abbas as the UAE captain was poised to shoot. But Caio’s penalty kick hit the post, much to the relief of Qatar players. Caio, though, played a key role in his team’s goal as the striker’s cross was volleyed home by De Lima.
As the UAE searched for the second goal, Tamim’s strike broke their hearts as Qatar’s young squad kept their country’s hopes of a fourth Gulf Cup title alive.
Qatar's Portuguese coach Bruno Pinheiro praised the players for fighting it till 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,” he said.
“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 face 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.
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