Iraq beats Kuwait 1-0 to reach Gulf Cup semifinals

Iraq reached the Gulf Cup semifinals by beating Kuwait 1-0 on Wednesday, and Saudi Arabia kept alive its hopes of advancing with a 2-0 win over Yemen.

Iraq won through an own goal by Kuwait goalkeeper Nawaf al-Khaldy in the 29th minute. Iraq leads Group B with 6 points, leaving the Kuwaitis and Saudi Arabia to play for the final spot Saturday.

Saudi Arabia, which surprisingly lost its opener to Iraq, went ahead when Yasser al-Qahtani headed in Nasser al-Shamrani’s free kick in the 32nd minute. The lead was doubled when Yahya al-Shehri’s shot in the 86th was parried by the keeper into the path of Fahd al-uwallad, who tapped the ball into the net.

Bahrain is the tournament host despite enduring months of anti-government protests.