(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Armstrong Vas | The Peninsula
Doha: Saudi Arabia struck once in each half to register a 2-0 win over Bahrain to keep their semi-final qualifying hopes alive at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.
The winners opened the scoring in the first half through Abdullah Al Hamdan (29th minute) and Mohammed Al Khabrani consolidated the lead in the 58th minute at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.
Saudi Arabia with yesterday's win opened their win account having suffered a shocking opening game loss to Kuwait.
Oman, which defeated Kuwait in the first match yesterday, lead the group with four points.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which have won a match each, have three points from two matches. Bahrain, which drew their opening match against Oman, have one point from two matches.
Saudi Arabia's next game is against Oman on December 2, the same day Kuwait play Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia, which missed seven Al Hilal players during the loss to Kuwait, were at full strength with the return of AFC Champions League winning members.
Coach Herve Renard side which dominated the game from the kick off had 64 percent ball possession.
It did not take long for Saudi to take the lead with Hamdan long ranger doing the trick.
The Bahrainis were at the receiving end and did try to bodily check the advance of the rampaging Saudi strikers. Two of the Bahrain players were cautioned by the referee to keep the proceedings under check.
In the second half, Khabrani netted the second goal for Saudi Arabia to maintain their stranglehold over the proceedings.
In the last ten minutes, Bahrain pressed hard for goals but a tough Saudi defence nipped the moves in the bud.
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