Jeddah:Qatar is set to face the UAE at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in the final round of Group B matches at the 27th Gulf Cup tournament.
According to Qatar News Agency, both teams have already secured their spots in the semifinals, each accumulating six points from two victories. The UAE currently leads on goal difference.
Qatar recorded wins against Bahrain and Yemen, with scores of 2-0 and 1-0, respectively. The UAE defeated Yemen 4-0 and Bahrain 3-0, matching Qatar's point tally but edging ahead with superior goal difference. A draw in their upcoming match would see both teams advance, with the UAE topping the group.
Qatar's coach, Julen Lopetegui, highlighted the aim to replicate previous performances in this final group stage fixture to maintain momentum into the semifinals. He noted the importance of reaching the semifinals early to reduce pressure and ensure all squad members are match-ready. Frequent substitutions were made to manage player fatigue, and the lineup for the match against the UAE is yet to be finalized.
In a concurrent Group B match, Bahrain and Yemen will play at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, but neither team can advance, having been eliminated after earlier defeats. Bahrain's early exit was unexpected, as they were favorites to defend their title won in the last edition in Kuwait. Yemen's performance also fell short of their recent form, despite qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The Group B winner will play the runner-up of Group A in the semifinals, while Group A's winner faces the runner-up of Group B. Both semifinals are scheduled for October 3, with the final set for October 6.