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Saudi Arabia becomes first team to enter Arab Cup Quarterfinals, Oman hold Morocco
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Saudi Arabia becomes first team to enter Arab Cup Quarterfinals, Oman hold Morocco

On a decisive night in Group B, Saudi Arabia combined quality and composure to defeat Comoros 3-1 and secure a place in the quarter-finals with a match to spare, while Morocco and Oman shared a tense goalless draw that kept the Atlas Lions well positioned in the standings.At Al Bayt Stadium, more than 32,000 spectators watched Saudi Arabia assert control through the understanding between midfielder Mohamed Kanno and captain Salem Al Dawsari.Although Comoros defended in numbers and countered when possible, Saudi Arabia kept probing and finally made the breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. Al Dawsari drifted into space on the left and curled in a precise cross that Kanno met with a powerful header from close range, giving the Green Falcons a deserved lead.The pair combined again shortly after the restart. In the 51st, Saudi Arabia broke quickly, with Al Dawsari advancing before slipping a well-timed pass into Kanno’s path. The midfielder finished calmly with his right foot to make it 2-0 and tighten Saudi Arabia’s grip on the match.Comoros, however, briefly revived their hopes. In the 63rd, Ibroihim Youssouf reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area and tucked it in from close range to reduce the deficit. The goal sparked a spirited spell from the debutants, who pushed Saudi Arabia back for several minutes. But the comeback faded when Al Dawsari capped his exceptional performance with a firm strike in the 76th to restore the two-goal cushion.Saudi Arabia closed out the match professionally and now top Group B with six points from two games. Morocco follow with four, Oman have one, and Comoros - still without a point - are eliminated.The final round sees Saudi Arabia face Morocco at Lusail Stadium on December 8, while Comoros meet Oman at Stadium 974.Earlier, Morocco and Oman played out a 0-0 draw shaped by missed opportunities and a decisive red card. A crowd of 38,000 - mostly supporting Morocco - witnessed the Atlas Lions start strongly, with captain Abderrazzaq Hamdallah at the centre of their best chances. His clearest came in the 38th, when Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini reacted superbly to push away a close-range effort, a save that helped earn him the Player of the Match award.The match shifted early in the second half. Hamdallah, attempting to control a high ball, caught Musab Al Shaqsi in the face with a raised boot. The referee issued a straight red card, forcing Morocco to play the remainder with ten men. Oman pushed forward more aggressively after the sending-off but struggled to turn possession into clear chances.Morocco stayed compact, relying on organisation and the occasional counter-attack to relieve pressure. Oman’s efforts came mostly from distance or hopeful crosses, and the match drifted towards a stalemate as neither side found a breakthrough.At full-time, Morocco were content with a point that keeps them on track with four points from two games, while Oman were left frustrated with just one point and now face a must-win clash against Comoros in their final group fixture. ---Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content. Instagram - @qatarlivingX - @qatarlivingFacebook - Qatar LivingYouTube - qatarlivingofficial 

Aju Chris

Staff Writer

FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025

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Round 2
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Kuwait

Kuwait

11:00 AM

Jordan

Jordan
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Round 2
Today
Bahrain

Bahrain

1:30 PM

Algeria

Algeria
Khalifa International Stadium
Round 2
Today
Sudan

Sudan

4:00 PM

Iraq

Iraq
Stadium 974
Round 2
Today
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

6:30 PM

Egypt

Egypt
Lusail Iconic Stadium
Round 3
Tomorrow
Syria

Syria

5:00 PM

Palestine

Palestine
Education City Stadium
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Qatar

Qatar

5:00 PM

Tunisia

Tunisia
Al Bayt Stadium
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Monday, 8 Dec
Morocco

Morocco

5:00 PM

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia
Lusail Iconic Stadium
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Monday, 8 Dec
Oman

Oman

5:00 PM

Comoros

Comoros
Stadium 974
Round 3
Tuesday, 9 Dec
Egypt

Egypt

2:30 PM

Jordan

Jordan
Al Bayt Stadium
Round 3
Tuesday, 9 Dec
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

2:30 PM

Kuwait

Kuwait
Stadium 974

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