Saudi midfielder Abu Al-Shamat targets victory over Qatar in Gulf Cup semifinal

Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, midfielder for the Saudi national team, has emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming clash against Qatar on Saturday evening in the semifinal of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup.

Saudi Arabia enters the match aiming to continue its strong performances and reach the final, while Qatar seeks to spring a surprise and book a place in the championship decider, as Gulf rivalries intensify in the race for the title.

Speaking exclusively to Ajel after the team’s final training session, Abu Al-Shamat said: “We expect an extremely tough and intense match; knockout rounds and Gulf derbies always have their own dynamics and are unpredictable. We respect the Qatari team, which has talented players and consistent performances, but we are fully prepared for this challenge.”

He added: “Preparations have gone excellently thanks to the great efforts of the coaching and administrative staff. The players are in peak mental and physical condition. We have thoroughly studied the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and we are fully aware of our responsibility to deliver a performance worthy of Saudi football’s reputation, secure victory, and reach the final.”

Saudi Arabia booked its place in the semifinals by topping Group A with a perfect record, collecting nine points from three consecutive wins to set up a high-stakes encounter with Qatar.

Qatar, meanwhile, advanced to the last four as runners-up in Group B with seven points, finishing behind the United Arab Emirates on goal difference, with both teams also on seven points.