Bahrain Humbled In Gulf Cup Exit

Holders crash to 5-2 defeat against Yemen as dismal campaign ends without a point

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Bahrain suffered a humiliating end to their Khaleeji 27 campaign last night, crashing to a 5-2 defeat against Yemen at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Both sides entered their final Group B match already eliminated, pointless and yet to score, but it was Noureddine Ould Ali's Yemen who emphatically ended those droughts with four first-half goals.

The result completed a miserable title defence for Dragan Talajic's men, who bowed out without a point despite the Croat status coach having vowed to deliver a response following their disappointing early elimination.

Highly rated youngster Ali Aldoseri had initially given Bahrain the perfect start in the seventh minute. Rami Al Waamani underhit a backpass to goalkeeper Mohamed Aman Khaikalah, allowing Aldoseri to pounce onto the ball, round the keeper and slot home.

The lead lasted only 10 minutes. Nasser Mohammednoh controlled a long ball before selling Sayed Mahdi Baqer a dummy and finishing past Mohammed Al Gharably, who was making his first start of the tournament.

Yemen turned the game around on the half-hour mark through a familiar face, with Sitra player Abdulwasea Al Matari glancing a backward header from a corner into the far side of the net.

The Yemenis struck again in the 39th minute. Adel Abbas Qasem found Al Waamani from the right side of the area, and the full-back was left unmarked at the back post to tap home.

Qasem then went from provider to scorer on the stroke of half-time. An attack that had appeared to have broken down instead ended with the forward finding space on the left side of the box, where he had time to pick out the far bottom corner and send Yemen into the break 4-1 ahead.

We apologise to our loyal supporters who stood by us and supported the team in all circumstances — COACH TALAJIC

The Bahrainis pulled one back in the 67th minute after a slick move in the final third. Mohamed Marhoon advanced into the area and teed up fellow substitute Ali Madan, who made no mistake with his finish.

But another defensive error compounded the Bads' misery in the closing moments. Komail Al Aswad's attempted backward header fell short, allowing Anis Maari to race clear and square for Al Waamani to finish into an empty net and complete his brace.

The heavy defeat brought a humbling end to the kingdom's title defence, while Yemen signed off with their first victory of the tournament.

Elsewhere in Group B, the UAE and Qatar drew 1-1 at Al-Inma Bank Stadium, with both having already secured their semi-final places.

Almoez Ali put Qatar ahead in the 32nd minute before Ali Saleh struck in first-half stoppage time for his second goal of the tournament to earn the Emiratis a point.

The UAE finished top of Group B and will face Group A runners-up Oman in Saturday's semi-final at 9.30pm, after hosts Saudi Arabia take on Qatar at 6pm. The final will be played on Tuesday at 9pm.