Al Muaz Ali puts Qatar ahead before Ali Saleh earns UAE a draw in Gulf 27 thriller

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates shared the goals in an eventful finish to the first half of their Gulf 27 Group B meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Qatar took the lead in the 33rd minute through Almoez Ali, who met an inviting cross inside the penalty area and finished first time into the net.

The goal came after a largely even opening period. Neither side had scored during the first 32 minutes, although both teams had created opportunities at either end.

The match then intensified, with the United Arab Emirates refusing to go into half-time behind. Their persistence was rewarded in the fourth minute of added time, when Ali Saleh restored parity with a well-taken equaliser.

The goals were highlighted in posts by the broadcasters Alkass TV and Abu Dhabi Sports on 30 September 2026. Alkass TV described Qatar’s opener as: “Our national team takes a 1-0 lead over the United Arab Emirates through Almoez Ali in the 33rd minute.”

Abu Dhabi Sports celebrated the response by posting: “A beautiful goal from Ali Saleh, and our national team draws level.”

The Group B fixture is being played to determine the final standings at the top of the section, rather than qualification for the knockout stage. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had both already secured their places in the semi-finals during the previous round.

That left the two sides competing for first place in the group in their final match, with the contest level after the opening 45 minutes plus stoppage time.