Arab Cup quarter-final lineup completed ahead of rest day

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The FIFA Arab Cup wrapped up its final group-stage clashes last night, confirming the complete quarter-final lineup ahead of today’s rest day.

At Al Bayt Stadium, Group C winners Jordan showed their class with a comfortable 3-0 win over Egypt. The opener arrived in the 19th minute when Mohammed Abu Hasheesh bulldozed through midfield, unleashed a speculative effort that ricocheted off a teammate, and fell perfectly back to him for a composed finish. Jordan doubled their lead in the 41st minute: Ahmad Ersan delivered a gorgeous first-time pass wide to Muhammed Abu Zraiq, who dummied his marker before curling an inch-perfect strike into the far corner. Ali Olwan sealed the result with a calm 90+2 penalty.

In the other Group C match, the UAE secured second place with a 3-1 win over Kuwait. Yahya Al Ghassani struck twice within two minutes — first from the spot in the 16th minute, then capitalizing on Kuwait’s failed attempt to play out. Kuwait were reduced to ten men in the 55th minute after Sultan Al Enezi’s dismissal, though they pulled one back five minutes later through Fahad Al Hajeri’s header from a Mohammad Daham free-kick.

In Group D, already-eliminated Bahrain closed their campaign with a strong 3-1 win over Sudan. Mehdi Abduljabbar opened the scoring in the 37th minute after a determined surge from Abdulla AlKhalasi. Sudan equalized chaotically in the 72nd minute as a scrambled clearance bounced off Yasir Mozamil, but Bahrain hit back: Mohammed Al Romaihi converted a 79th-minute penalty, and Mehdi Humaidan finished a slick 89th-minute move.

Group winners Algeria later defeated Iraq 2-0, controlling proceedings after Hussein Al Saedi’s red card. Mohamed Tougai struck in first-half stoppage time following VAR confirmation, before an Iraq own goal seconds after the restart sealed it.

Today is a rest day before the quarter-finals: Morocco vs Syria and Palestine vs Saudi Arabia tomorrow, followed Thursday by Iraq vs Jordan and Algeria vs UAE. The semi-finals are on December 15, with the final and third-place match on December 18.