In a match which ended 2-2 after extra-time, with all four goals scored in the first half, Bahrain proved the sharper of the two teams from the penalty spot and they can now look forward to Sunday's final against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia defeated hosts Qatar 1-0 in the other semi-final.

Bahrain beat Kuwait 4-2 to finish as Group B runners-up and will face Iraq in the semi-finals. Bahrain advanced on goal difference after they and Oman finished on four points.

Saudi Arabia's win meant they topped Group B and will face hosts Qatar in the other semi-final.

Qatar, however, finished second in Group A after Iraq drew 0-0 with Yemen to secure top spot on seven points. Qatar collected six points from their wins over Yemen and UAE, having lost 2-1 to Iraq in their opener.

Qatar will play Group B winners Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals on Thursday while Iraq will face Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia bounced back from their opening defeat against Kuwait to defeat Bahrain 2-0 as the race for Group B's semi-final spots will be decided on Monday.

Qatar bounced back from their 2-1 loss to Iraq with an emphatic 6-0 win over Yemen in the group's evening match.

The win confirmed Iraq's place in the semi-finals as they now top the group with six points while UAE and Qatar will face off on Monday to decide the second team to advance to the last four stage.

Defending champions Oman were held to a goalless draw by Bahrain in the other Group B match with both teams failing to put away their chances.

Ali Mabkhout scored a hat-trick as United Arab Emirates defeated Yemen 3-0 to move to the top of the Group A standings as the 24th edition of the tournament got off to a spectacular start.