UAE reach Gulf Cup semi-finals after 3-0 win over Bahrain

The UAE booked their place in the Gulf Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win over defending champions Bahrain in Jeddah on Sunday.

Ousmane Camara opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, heading in Yuri Silva’s cross at the near post after the UAE had made the stronger start. 

Nicolas Gimenez had already tested Bahrain goalkeeper Ibrahim Lutfalla twice before the opener, while the UAE continued to create chances after taking the lead.

Gimenez came close to making it 2-0 early in the second half when his header from a Marcus Meloni cross struck the crossbar. 

The second goal arrived in the 66th minute when Guilherme Bala controlled a long pass from Meloni, drove into the penalty area and sent a low shot into the bottom corner. 

Ali Saleh completed the scoring in the 88th minute, finishing from inside the area after a pass from Bruno Oliveira. The goal was awarded following a VAR review. 

The result gave the UAE a second successive Group B victory following their 4-0 opening win over Yemen.

They are level with Qatar on six points but lead the group on goal difference, with both teams already guaranteed a place in the last four. 

Qatar secured their own semi-final place with a 1-0 win over Yemen earlier on Sunday.

The UAE and Qatar will meet in their final group match on Wednesday to decide who finishes top of Group B, while Bahrain and Yemen have both been eliminated.