Riyadh: Qatar displayed great character against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the Gulf Cup yesterday to come back from a goal down to secure a draw at the King Fahd Stadium here.
Yemen and Bahrain played out a goalless draw in the second game of the night.
With the support of a vociferous home crowd behind them, the Saudis started strong and creating most of the chances early on.
It took some time for Qatar to calm their nerves but Fahad Al Muwallad made them pay before that.
In the 37th minute, the Saudi winger latched onto a cross by throwing himself feet-first to give the hosts the lead, which they would maintain for the remaining period of the first-half.
Whatever coach Djamel Belmadi said to his Qatari team during the break seemed to have worked because they came out much more positive in the second-half and began pushing their opponents onto the back foot.
In the 53rd minute Qatar got the equaliser when Ibrahim Majid headed home. And then, Al Annabi really piled on the pressure.
Qatar continued to create numerous chances in the latter half of the game but, eventually, had to settle for a draw.
After the match, Belmadi applauded his boys’ fighting performance.
“It was difficult for us in the first-half,” he said. “But we controlled the match better in the second-half. Our players lacked experience and then I had to make some changes, which helped.”
“We were definitely far more organised in the second-half,” the Algerian said.
“I am not satisfied but the 1-1 draw is not a bad result. We played well in front a hostile crowd and a strong Saudi side.
“We will try to fix our problems in the next match,” he added.
Qatar next play Yemen on Sunday and face Bahrain on Wednesday.
THE PENINSULA
