Gulf Cup of Nations Matchday 2 game between Yemen and Qatar hold for Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Supporters don dey gather for di big clash, and both teams arrive venue ready to give everything for points.
Yemen squad arrive with one mission: win. Another loss go end their tournament run and mark dem as major disappointment. Qatar side arrive to take all three points, score plenty goals, and climb top of group. Before kickoff, players inspect field and prepare. Starting lineups for Yemen and Qatar don show, with hope say match go intense and both sides go fight for three points.
Referee blow whistle, ball roll. Home team take opening kick to hold early possession. Qatar take possession right away too. In opening minutes, Qatar get one chance but dem no convert, ball go wide. Around ten-minute mark, Yemen look for clear-cut chance but offside catch dem. Qatar fire powerful shot from outside box, goalkeeper save am, but keeper look slightly shaken, so play stop for treatment.
Play stop again when Qatar number 4 injure. Dem carry am off on stretcher, number 15 replace am. Past first quarter, Yemen get two clear-cut chances, including direct free kick from very close range, but Qatari defense stand firm. Game begin balance small, though visiting team still hold possession.
We reach twenty-minute mark, Qatar look closer to opening goal. Dem handle situation well after losing possession. Yemen dey try, but dem no dey make much impact. Qatar miss chance when Hashim Ali collect ball after throw-in and unleash powerful right-foot shot from outside box, but e go over crossbar.
Qatar continue to press. After corner kick, Boualem Khoukhi go for header but ball sail over crossbar. Qatar just miss another great chance when Akram Afif fire powerful shot inside box, but Yemen goalkeeper pull off brilliant save. Score remain 0-0, yet visiting team look very strong.
Less than ten minutes remain for first half, Qatar still push for goal and create more attacking opportunities. Fouls dey disturb rhythm. Five minutes left, both teams create dangerous plays, fouls increase, and both want open scoring before break. Five minutes stoppage time added. Referee grant extra minutes after earlier plays, and best moments of first half closing minutes show.
First half end 0-0. Both teams give all, game intense, but nobody open scoring. Second half restart, ball roll for next 45 minutes. Significant substitutions happen, and better contest dey expected. Match begin second half with intensity, but play stop because Yemen player injury. Medical staff enter field, and substitution follow because player no fit continue.
Qatar stay persistent. Moments ago, dem nearly score opening goal, but Yemen goalkeeper save am. Visiting team dey find goal to secure win. For now, game scrappy and rhythm don break. Qatar remain very persistent, and another near opening goal meet Yemen goalkeeper save.
We pass sixty-minute mark, visiting team still stronger. Dem try again, but goalkeeper save Yemen. Score stand 0-0. Then scoring open. For 63rd minute, Yusuf Abdulrazzq net first goal for Qatar with finish from inside box, putting visitors ahead 0-1.
Qatar side remain far superior and continue to create good scoring opportunities. Moments ago, dem nearly net second, but ball hit right post and no enter. Only twenty minutes remain, and visitors still look for chance to score another. Dem be fouled inside box and awarded penalty wey fit extend lead. Yemen get reprieve: after penalty taken, home team goalkeeper save am, deny dem another goal.
Both teams put on great show, and e go be thrilling finish. After several plays, hydration break happen, coaches use chance make further changes. Both teams go give all for final minutes of second half. Less than ten minutes remain; Yemeni side just had a go, but shot go wide. Home team dey push for equalizer as closing minutes waka. As e stand, Qatar lead 0-1, Yemen goalkeeper don save penalty, and action still dey live for Jeddah.
