Tunisia and Algeria to play Arab Cup final after dramatic semi-final wins
Algeria will take on Tunisia in Sunday’s final of the FIFA Arab Cup with the latter having edged out Egypt in the first semi-final earlier in the day. Both matches held out for late drama that made the atmosphere tense for those seated in the stadium and those who watched away from the action centres on their screens.
Mohammed Belaili converted a rebound from his penalty kick in the 17th minute of stoppage time to send Algeria to the final of the FIFA Arab Cup after knocking out hosts Qatar 2-1 in a lively and pulsating semi-final at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
A 60th-minute goal by Benlamri Djamel helped Algeria take the lead but a dramatic end to the match was witnessed with Qatar equalising through Mohammed Muntari in the seventh minute of injury time.
The match seemed to be heading for extra time before Algeria was awarded a penalty kick, which was converted after the initial effort was saved by Qatar’s goal-keeper Saad Alsheeb.
An injury-time own-goal helped Tunisia snatch victory with virtually the last kick of the game in a 1-0 win over Egypt.
Amr El Sulaya, the Egyptian captain, flicked a last-gasp free-kick into his own net four minutes into stoppage time to break the deadlock between the north African rivals at the newly built Stadium 974 and sent Tunisia into the final.
By: Elisha Aberiganya | Follow us on Twitter @activtvgh
