(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Going into the Gulf Cup semi-final, Qatar were accused of not being able to score enough goals. Well, the Maroons certainly busted that myth yesterday as they thrashed Oman 3-1 to romp into Wednesday's final where they will face Saudi Arabia.
Qatar displayed superior big-match temperament as they came back from a goal down to dismantle an in-form Oman side, which was fresh off a huge 5-0 win over Kuwait.
And, after two second-half goals from super-sub Ali Assad, Djamel Belmadi's men were into the Gulf Cup finals after a gap of 10 years.
"It was a great win in a tough game. What we had promised, we delivered. Now we have the confidence that we can go all the way. All the players played their part well and our coordination was brilliant," a delighted Assad said after the match.
Raed Saleh put Oman ahead on 24 minutes but Qatar equalised in the 36th minute when Meshal Abdullah won a penalty after he was brought down by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
Hassan Al Haidous took the spot-kick - coolly floating the ball into the back of the net.
The scores were level at 1-1 when Qatari coach Belmadi called on Assad from the substitute's bench in 56th minute - it would prove to be an inspired move.
Within three minutes, he had put the Maroons ahead and eight minutes later he doubled their advantage.
As the game progressed, Qatar seemed to grow from strength to strength and it appeared that the wind had been knocked out of the Omanis.
When the referee blew the final whistle, ecstatic celebrations broke out on the field and in the stands as Qatar celebrated a historic victory.
"All the players showed coordination and good team spirit against Oman. Thank God we held our nerve and produced the goods," a relieved Meshal said.
Defender Ibrahim Majid complemented the team for its determination. "We were a little jittery at the start but we stuck to our guns. We deserved to win and I pray that we play with heart in the final and bring back the Cup," he said.
Coach Belmadi credited Qatar's success to a "consistent attacking game".
"We won because we were the stronger of the two sides. We attacked in a sustained manner," he said after the match at the King Fahd International Stadium.
He also complemented his team for their well-organised performance. "That was a disciplined show on many fronts. We were focused and hungry to win," Belmadi said.
The Algerian said Qatar would continue to play attacking football in the final as well. "It was important to reach the final and we have done that. I love the attacking game. That's how you succeed."
Team manager Fareed Mahboob said Qatar raised their game at the right time. "We produced a good performance just when we needed it," he said.
"Some said we had an easy ride but that was not the case. We played tough games and that prepared us," Mahboob added.
"We exploited the opportunities well and won."
In the other semi-final, Saudi Arabia edged out the United Arab Emirates after a scintillating encounter.
The Saudis took a two-goal lead in the early stages of the match but Ahmed Khalil brought the Emiratis back into the game with two goals in the second-half.
The match became an end-to-end affair after that with both teams creating chances. Finally, Salem Al Dawsari provided the Saudis the winner in the 86th minute.
The Gulf Cup final will be played at the King Fahd International Stadium here on Wednesday from 7.45pm.
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