MANAMA — Former Asian champion Iraq can take another step toward a fourth Gulf Cup triumph and shatter host Bahrain’s hopes of a first title when the two meet in Tuesday’s semifinals.
Iraq topped its preliminary group with three wins from three games, scoring five goals, while goalkeeper Noor Sabri has yet to concede. Coach Hakeem Shaker, who took over from Brazilian icon Zico last month, has introduced a sense of urgency and aggression in his team that is giving its attacking moves extra vigor and vitality.
With veteran captain Younes Mahmoud leading by example and youngsters Salam Shakir and Hammadi Ahmed lending flair and flexibility in attack, Iraq can look forward to claiming this title for the fourth time. Bahrain will be missing striker Jaycee John through injury.
John’s absence was sorely felt as Bahrain, under new Argentine coach Gabriel Calderon, who took over from England’s Peter Taylor in November, managed just two goals in three matches. One of those was a penalty converted by key midfielder Faouzi Aaish against Qatar.
Bahrain and Yemen are the only countries yet to win this title.
Bahrain and defending champion Kuwait, which faces the United Arab Emirates in the other semifinal, booked their tickets in the knockout stages following hard fought 1-0 victories over Qatar and Saudi Arabia respectively in do-or-die matches. The UAE was certainly the most fluent among the eight teams, scoring seven goals and conceding two in their three group matches.
With a majority of players coming from its 2012 Olympic team, the UAE, under coach Mahdi Ali, will start as clear favorite in its bid to win this title only for the second time since its inception in 1970. The Emirati hopefuls will again be pinning their hopes on prolific strikers Ali Al-Hajri and Ahmed Khalil, who have scored two goals apiece.
The Kuwaitis, under Serbian coach Goran Tufegdzic, began sluggishly and had to settle for a 2-0 victory over Yemen. Midfielder Bader Al-Mutwa and barrel-chested striker Yousef Nasser Al-Salman are in form and, with fleet-footed Fahad Al-Enezi giving an extra edge to its attacks, Kuwait is quite capable of not only upsetting the UAE but also extending its enviable run with an 11th title. — SG