DOHA: Saudi Arabia ended Palestine’s impressive Arab Cup run with a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory on Thursday, securing their place in the semi-finals after a tense quarter-final in Al Rayyan.
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Herve Renard’s side dominated long spells of the first half, probing patiently against a disciplined Palestinian defence that had kept two clean sheets in the group stage.
The Green Falcons came closest late in the opening period when a deep cross opened up space for Feras Al-Buraikan, only for Hamed Hamdan to produce a crucial last-ditch clearance.
Saudi Arabia eventually broke through early in the second half via their talisman Salem Al-Dawsari, whose sharp first touch drew a foul from Mohammed Saleh inside the area.
