Saudi Gazette report

KUWAIT CITY — Hosts Kuwait secured their place in the semi-finals of the Khaleeji Zain 26 with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Qatar at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Saturday night, sending the home crowd of 57,742 into raptures.

The match was filled with tension and missed opportunities. Qatar thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Yusuf Abdurisag headed in from a corner, but the referee ruled it out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Kuwait’s Mohammad Daham came agonizingly close to scoring in the 62nd minute, hitting the post twice in quick succession.

But Daham finally broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, curling a free-kick into the far corner to give Kuwait the lead.

Qatar pushed for an equalizer and appeared to have won a penalty in the 77th minute after a VAR check for handball, but the referee ultimately dismissed the claim.

Substitute Mohammed Muntari equalized for Qatar in the dying moments, but Kuwait held firm to secure the crucial point, finishing atop Group A with five points.