Ismail Matar notched a brace to help UAE grab a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kuwait and book their place in the Gulf Nations Cup semi-finals on Tuesday. Matar opened the score line after just one minute but Badr Al-Mutawaa leveled the score for Kuwait in the 31st minute. Faisal Al-Jenebi restored the lead for UAE two minutes later before Fahad Hazaa equalized again in the 35th minute. Matar sealed the victory in stoppage time to lead UAE to a place in the Gulf Cup semis. UAE are second in Group with six points, three behind leaders Oman who finished the first round with 100% record after edging Yemen 2-1. Kuwait and Yemen are third and fourth respectively with just one point each.