DOHA (Qatar): Asian champions Qatar beat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 4-2 in their last Group A match on Monday evening to secure semifinal berth at the 24th Arab Gulf Cup.
“It was a good game. The draw was not on our mind. It was our game and the team deserved to win,” said Felix.
The hosts will now face Group B winners Saudi Arabia in the second semifinal on December 5 while Group A toppers Iraq will meet Bahrain in the first semis on the same day.
The Asian champions kicked off on a confident note after they took the lead in the 20th minute through Akram Afif, who was voted as 2019 AFC Asian Player of the Year.
Akram added his second from the spot in 28th after Mohammad Marzooq handled the ball and the referee resorted to VAR.
But Ali Mabkhout also converted from the spot two minutes later to keep the UAE in the game.
Qatar captain Hassan Al Haidous restored the lead in the 53rd.
In a sudden twist, Ali Mabkhout, who scored the tournament’s first hat-trick against Yemen, threatened with his second goal in the 77th.
But Boualem Khouki headed home a corner in the final minute of added time to kill the contest.
“When you have 40,000 fans supporting the team it gives a good feeling and motivation. It was a nice game for us. We are happy as we could achieve our target to qualify for the semis,” added Felix.
The hosts ended their group engagements with two wins and a defeat while the Emiratis bowed out of the competition after having lost two games and just a win against Yemen.
“I think in all the group games were different. We were upset after the first match, but the players showed good level. They tried their best after the defeat against Iraq,” added the Spaniard.
