UAE advance to Gulf Cup semifinals

United Arab Emirates has advanced to the Gulf Cup semifinals, downing Bahrain 2-1 on a late strike from midfielder Majed Hassan on Tuesday.

Qatar beat Oman 2-1 to move into second in Group A and is the favourite to join the UAE with one match remaining.

Ali Mabkhout opened the scoring for the UAE, sidestepping a defender and slotting home a shot in the 40th minute.

Bahrain equalised in the 75th when Abdulwahab Al Malood dashed into the area and chipped in the goal.

But in the 85th, Hassan grabbed a deflection off goalkeeper Sayed Jaafar and fired home the winner.

Qatar took the lead in the 56th when Khalfan Ibrahim converted a penalty. Oman's Hussain Al Hadhri levelled on a 71st-minute penalty, and Mohammed Jeedo scored the winner in the 88th.