Striker Abdulla Yusuf scored a late winner as defending champions Bahrain rallied to claim their second consecutive victory at the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup edging Qatar 2-1 at Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium in Basra on Tuesday.
Persija Jakarta forward slotted home an 89th-minute penalty after Mohammed Waad’s own goal in the 72nd minute helped Bahrain equalised Qatar's lead. Ahmed Alaaeldin scored a superb goal – his second in the tournament – in 34th minute to take the Asian champions ahead in the first half.
Waad's night turned into anguish after he assisted Alaaeldin with a lovely corner kick. After his deflection from replacement Komail Hassan's effort awarded Bahrain their first goal, the midfielder's handball foul opened the door for the Reds to score the game-winning goal.
With six points after the win, Bahrain now leads Group B. They also extended their winning streak over Qatar at the Gulf Cup, having not lost to Al Annabi since 2002.
In their final group match against the United Arab Emirates on Friday, Bruno Pinheiro's Qatar, who dropped to second place in the group after the defeat, will need a win to advance to the semi-finals.
