Jeddah:The Qatar national football team is set to face Saudi Arabia in the semifinal of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Both teams are vying for a spot in the final, which will be held on Tuesday, October 6. According to Qatar News Agency, the winner of this match will face the victor of the other semifinal between the UAE and Oman, scheduled for the same day. Qatar aims to reach the final for the first time since the 22nd edition in 2014, where they last claimed the title by defeating Saudi Arabia. In the group stage, Qatar secured a place in the semifinals with impressive performances, including a 2-0 win over Bahrain and a 1-0 victory against Yemen. Their final group match against the UAE ended in a 1-1 draw, placing them second in Group B. Saudi Arabia, the hosts, dominated their group with a flawless record, achieving victories over Kuwait, Oman, and Iraq, finishing as Group A winners with nine points. Their solid defense ensured they did not concede any goals during th e group stage. Qatar's coach, Julen Lopetegui, acknowledged the challenge posed by Saudi Arabia, citing their strong squad and home advantage. He emphasized Qatar's preparedness and determination to advance to the final, with key player Akram Afif ready to participate after missing the last match. The two teams have a long-standing rivalry, having faced each other 22 times in previous Gulf Cup tournaments. With Saudi Arabia winning ten matches and Qatar three, the clash is anticipated to be a thrilling contest.