Majed Hassan’s late winner against Bahrain booked the UAE’s place in the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup as Mahdi Ali’s men notched their successive second win in Group A.

Ali Mabkhout, the Al Jazira striker, had put the UAE ahead six minutes before half time but Abdulwahab Al Malood’s 75th-minute shot sneaked through the legs of goalkeeper Ali Kashief to bring the Gulf Cup hosts level.

The Bahrain goalkeeper will feel hard done by about the Emirates’ winner after a fine double save denied first substitute Ismail Matar and then Mabkhout on the follow up before Hassan smashed the ball into the roof of the net on 85 minutes.

The UAE face Oman, who drew with Qatar in their match yesterday, in their final group game on Friday with the Omanis looking to join Mahdi Ali’s men in the next round.

arizvi@thenational.ae

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