Doha: Asian champions Qatar overcame a gritty United Arab Emirates (UAE) 4-2 in their last Group A match to advance into the semifinals of 24th Arab Gulf Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday evening. Akram Afif, who was taken of in the 86th min, celebrated his AFC Asian Player of the Award with a double strike that knocked the stuff out of the visitors early on while Haidous added the third following a melee inside the box in the 53rd. Ali Mabkhout, who had a great game for UAE, converted from the spot to reduce the margin in the 30th. The 29-year-old even threatened to take the match with his second in the 77th minute. But Boualem Khouki headed home a corner in the final minute of added time to kill the contest. The hosts ended their group engagements with two wins and a defeat while the Emiratis bowed out of the competition after having lost two games and just a win against Yemen.