It's taken until the semi-finals, but the Qatar expected to excel at the Gulf Cup has finally started to emerge.
It took a debatable call from the referee during the opening contest of a double-header at King Fahd International Stadium and a choice substitution to see off Oman, who emerge with both great credit and a sense of frustration from their spell in Saudi Arabia.
When coach Djamel Belmadi looks back on his coaching career, the decision to summon forward Ali Assadalla from the substitute's bench on 56 minutes may rank as his most inspired.
The scores were tied at 1-1 when the Al Sadd man jogged on, the wind still in the sails of opponents who battered Kuwait 5-0 on Thursday in their Group B decider.
Within three minutes, he had put the Maroons ahead and seven minutes later he doubled their advantage to secure a 3-1 triumph.
Dreams of a third Gulf Cup success will grow from here, courtesy of securing a first final spot since the glorious 2004 campaign. It has rarely been pretty from them this time around, sorely lacking inspiration on their way to a runners-up spot in Group A.
The absences of star duo Khalfan Ibrahim and Sebastian Soria were glaring in two goalless draws and a 1-1 stalemate against Saudi Arabia.
Oman took a deserved lead on 24 minutes with a bullet from Raed Saleh's toe. The midfielder met a looped headed clearance from Meshaal Abdulla with aplomb, the ball rocketing into the top corner.
Paul Le Guen's men thoroughly merited their lead, as briefly as it was to last. Referee Marcin Borski took centre stage, pointing to the penalty spot after Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was adjudged to have tripped Abdulla.
The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee was less than convinced, with replays inconclusive. Attacking midfielder Hassan Khalid cared little for the protests, firing the equaliser straight down the middle.
Buoyed by their reprieve, Qatar blossomed after the break.
Ahmed Al Mahaijri's rushed clearance after the impressive Ismaeel Mohammad clipped the post was truly amateurish, the scuff falling perfectly to Assadalla who converted via a deflection from close range.
Qatar were now finally stretching their legs. Breathing space was secured by Assadalla once more, his shot into the ground rebounding over the absent Al Habsi following Abdulla's low strike against the woodwork.
