Atlas Lions, Green Falcons Through to Last Eight

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The FIFA Arab Cup continued last night with Group B action in Doha, where Morocco and Saudi Arabia secured quarter-final berths while Oman and Comoros were eliminated. Notably, Morocco fielded a squad without their star players as they focus on the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations later this month, whereas Saudi Arabia’s team included their key stars under coach Herve Renard, who previously managed Morocco.

At Lusail Stadium, the Atlas Lions beat the Green Falcons 1-0 to finish as group leaders. The breakthrough came in the 10th minute after a well-timed press forced a mistake from Abdulla AlOmari. Karim El Berkaoui intercepted the loose pass, moved the ball to Tarik Tissoudali on the flank, and continued his run into the box. Tissoudali’s return ball found him perfectly, and El Berkaoui tucked away his second goal of the tournament, giving Morocco the lead they needed.

Saudi Arabia, already through after back-to-back wins, had a chance to equalize in the 68th minute when Amine Zouhzouh conceded a penalty, but Abdullah Al Hamdan failed to convert, allowing Morocco to maintain control and top the group.

Meanwhile at Stadium 974, Oman recorded a 2-1 win over Comoros, though it was not enough to change their fate. In the 30th minute, Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahmada misjudged a risky dribble, allowing Issam Al Sabahi to force the ball over the line. Al Sabahi added a second in the 43rd minute, heading in a beautiful delivery from Ali Al Busaidi after his own clever movement inside the box. Comoros pulled one back in the 68th minute as Dine Hamidou Ali spun past two defenders and curled a right-footed shot into Ibrahim Al Mukhani’s corner, but his solo effort proved insufficient.

Today’s fixtures will complete the quarter-final lineup: Egypt face already-qualified Jordan at Al Bayt Stadium, UAE meet Kuwait with both still able to qualify, Algeria play Iraq for Group D supremacy, and Bahrain take on Sudan in a dead-rubber. Teams already through include Palestine, Syria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, and Algeria.