RIFA, Bahrain - Bahrain scored a controversial penalty Friday to beat Qatar 1-0 and advance to the Gulf Cup semifinals.

The hosts, needing a win to overtake Qatar in Group A, scored in the 25th minute when Faouzi Aaish converted the penalty. The penalty was given after the ball deflected off the arm of Qatar's Bilal Mohammed, who appeared to be unaware of the incoming ball.

Bahrain had several chances in the second half to double the lead, including a shot from Mohamed Husain which hit the cross bar and a point-blank shot from Aaish which was stopped by Qatar goalkeeper Baba Malick.

United Arab Emirates, which won the group, beat 10-man Oman 2-0.

© Copyright 2013