Saudi Arabia and Qatar set for Gulf Cup semifinal clash in Jeddah

All eyes will be on King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah tomorrow as Saudi Arabia and Qatar meet in the semifinal of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, a match that pits the Group A leaders against the runners-up from Group B.

Saudi Arabia enters the match after a flawless group stage, collecting nine points from three wins—1-0 over Kuwait, 3-0 against Oman, and 2-0 versus Iraq. The team scored six goals and did not concede any, making them the only side to keep a clean sheet throughout the first round.

Saudi Arabia’s group stage goals came from Firas Al-Buraikan, who scored twice, as well as Hassan Kadesh, Abdullah Al-Salem, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, along with an own goal. The team’s strong defense, the best in the tournament so far, has complemented their attacking prowess, resulting in six goals scored.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to reach the final for the tenth time in its history and continue its quest for a fourth Gulf Cup title, having previously won in 1994, 2002, and 2003.

On the other side, Qatar secured its semifinal spot by finishing second in Group B with seven points, following victories over Bahrain (2-0) and Yemen (1-0), and a 1-1 draw with the UAE. Qatar scored four goals and conceded just one during the group stage.

Qatar is also seeking a place in the final for the seventh time and is chasing a fourth Gulf Cup title, having lifted the trophy in 1992, 2004, and 2014.

Qatar’s group stage goals were shared among key players, including Almoez Ali, Hassan Al-Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi, and Youssef Abdurisag, all of whom contributed to the team’s progress to the semifinals.

Both teams delivered consistent performances in the group stage—Saudi Arabia with a perfect record and Qatar unbeaten—setting the stage for a decisive showdown for a place in the Gulf Cup final.