Qatar 1-1 Bahrain: Gulf Cup 2017 match report

Qatar 1-1 Bahrain: match report

Qatar promised their fans they would attack in the last game of the Gul Cup group stages. They needed to as a win was the only result that would realistically see them through to the semi-final. 

They did as they promised and threw everything at an organised Bahrain side who stood firm for most of the first half. With time expired on the clock and deep into added on time in injury time, the referee awarded them a penalty, however, and Hassan Khalid buried the spot kick.

Bahrain regrouped at the break and came out, much like their opponents did in the first half, throwing caution to the wind.

They had their reward after Ali Madan buried a cross from the left to draw the sides level. From that point, it was all aimless long balls and hopeful attacking from Qatar in the last half an hour with Bahrain very concise and precise in their defending and counter-attacking as they nearly took the lead on a couple of occasions.

Iraq beat Yemen comfortably in the other game as they finish top of the group and will face the UAE while Bahrain will play Oman, who pipped Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon.

Qatar vs Bahrain live stream online: updates

Qatar vs Bahrain live stream online: preview

After a hectic day on Thursday that saw Oman jump from third to first over the course of 90 minutes with a win over Saudi Arabia, we wrap up the group stages of the competition with Bahrain and Qatar locking horns with both sides still in with a shout for a place in the semi-final. Kuwait City is again the location for the game and kick-off is at 16:30 CEST.

Qatar

Qatar have collected three points in two games with a healthy start against Iraq seeing them take an early lead. They collapsed, however, as Iraq came back to win the game 2-1. Their 4-0 win over Yemen was far less eventful in terms of surprises as they well and truly dominated the opposition.

A victory will see Qatar leapfrog Bahrain and possibly Iraq in first place but seeing as Yemen have failed to win or score in their opening two games, it would be unlikely that the group leaders let their place at the top slip.

Bahrain

A goal by Jamal Rashed Abdulrahman in the first game of the group against Iraq gave Bahrain a late lead that they would eventually give up but while they haven't been free-scoring, they have proven to be organised over the two games. Their 1-0 victory over Yemen came from the boot of the same man from the penalty spot.

They just need a draw against Qatar in this game but sitting deep and hoping for such an outcome could prove to be folly so it will be interesting to see which way they approach the game.

Qatar vs Bahrain live stream: betting

If you fancy a punt on the Gulf Cup's final set of group games, Bahrain are 12/5 and could be good value for money given they sit ahead of Qatar in the group. A draw, however, might be even more enticing given Bahrain's lack of goals scored and conceded and that's 11/5.