The Saudi national team secured a perfect record in Group One of the Arabian Gulf Cup "Khaleeji 27" following its victory over Iraq by two goals to nil, while the Iraqi and Omani teams await the qualified side due to their equality in points, goal difference, and disciplinary cards.
The match between Saudi Arabia and Iraq was played at Al-Inmaa Stadium within King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, as part of the third and final round of the group stage of Khaleeji 27.
Group One of the Arabian Gulf Cup, held in Jeddah, includes, alongside Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the national teams of Oman and Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia defeats Iraq 2-0
The Saudi national team relied on a lineup consisting of: "Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Boushal, Abdulilah Al-Amri, Jihad Dhakri, Zakaria Hawsawi, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Sultan Mandeesh, Abdullah Al-Salem, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan."
Meanwhile, Iraq's starting lineup included: "Ahmed Basel, Maytham Jabbar, Mustafa Saadoun, Mirxas Doski, Yousef Imam, Amir Al-Ammari, Saif Rashid, Karrar Nabeel, Zaid Ismail, Hassan Abdul Karim, and Ahmed Qasim."
The opening goal for the Saudi national team came in the 53rd minute, scored by striker Abdullah Salem, capitalizing on a grave defensive error by Iraq.
The 68th minute saw the second goal for the Saudi national team against Iraq's net, scored by center forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan.
Oman and Iraq await the last qualification spot
In the other match, the Omani national team clung to its last chance of qualifying when it faced Kuwait, winning 3-1, as Oman had no alternative but to win to raise its tally to four points, then wait for an Iraqi loss against its Saudi counterpart.
It was expected that the Omani national team would accompany its Saudi counterpart to the semi-finals of Khaleeji 27 after defeating Kuwait by three goals to one, but disciplinary cards changed the situation.
Despite Iraq being equal with Oman in points, goal difference, and yellow cards, it was decided to resort to a draw to determine the qualifier for the semi-finals.
The Saudi national team tops the Group One standings with nine points, having won its first three matches, thereby ensuring qualification to the next round with a perfect record.
