Saudi Arabia lose fourth player to injury before crucial Qatar semi-final

Saudi Arabia will be without Zakaria Hawsawi for their decisive Gulf 27 semi-final against Qatar on Saturday, with the defender also set to miss the final if his side reaches it.

The Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya reported that Hawsawi, a full-back for Saudi Al Ahli, is unavailable after suffering an injury during the team’s 2-0 victory over Iraq on Tuesday.

That match was played at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah in the final round of the Gulf 27 group stage. Saudi Arabia will return to the same venue to face Qatar in the semi-final.

Hawsawi is the fourth Saudi Arabia player ruled out of the tournament because of injury. He joins goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, midfielder Alaa Al-Hajji and defender Hassan Kadesh on the list of absentees.

Saudi Arabia manager Georgios Donis normally selects Moteb Al-Harbi at left-back. Hawsawi started against Iraq as Donis opted to rest Al-Harbi.