UAE beats Qatar in Gulf Cup

Mohammed Gharib celebrates UAE's 3rd goal Manama - Ali Al Hosani The United Arab Emirates national team got off to the perfect start in their Gulf Cup campaign, with a 3-1 win over Qatar on Saturday at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium. Mahdi Ali's men won their Group A opener to claim their first three points and lead the group. In the other group match, hosts Bahrain were held to a 0-0 draw by Oman. Qatar's Khalfan Ibrahim gave his side an 11th minute lead from the penalty spot. However, UAE equalised a few minutes later when Omar Abdel-Rahman was on target in the 13th minute. Ali Mabkhout put UAE in front with a clinical finish in the 28th minute, before Mohammed Gharib sealed the win midway through the second half. The Qatari team has won the Gulf Cup twice, in 1992 and 2004, while the UAE team won the title once in 2007. On Saturday evening, Mahdi Ali beat his Brazilian counterpart Paulo Autuori and a performance which showed the development of the players under Ali's leadership. The former midfielder has been in-charge of the first team since August, replacing his compatriot Abdullah Misfer. In the second round on the Group A matches on Tuesday, Oman will meet Qatar and Bahrain will play UAE.