UAE and Saudi Arabia played out a drab 0-0 draw in Group A of the Gulf Cup on Monday.

Alberto Zaccheroni‘s side had the opportunity to book their place in the semi-finals but failed to break through the defence of a second-string Saudi outfit in Kuwait City.

Ismail Ahmed was replaced by Fares Juma at the back, but other than that UAE retained the same line up that started the 1-0 win over Oman on Friday.

Goal-scoring chances were few and far between. Ali Mabkhout couldn’t convert UAE’s best opportunity in the first half, shooting wide after being played in by Omar Abdulrahman.

At the other end, Mukhtar Fallatah’s attempted lob had to be tipped over the bar by Khalid Essa.

Both sides remain level on points at the top of Group A.

UAE will take on hosts Kuwait in the final group encounter while Saudi face Oman.