Saudi Back on Top

TDT | Manama

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Saudi Arabia ended a 23-year wait for the Arabian Gulf Cup title after defeating the UAE 2-0 in the Khaleeji Arabian Dyar 27 final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah yesterday.

First-half goals from Hammam Al Hammami and Firas Al Buraikan secured a fourth Gulf crown for the hosts in front of 62,827 spectators at King Abdullah Sports City, adding to their previous triumphs in 1994, 2002 and 2003.

The Saudis made a blistering start, although the UAE produced the first attempt of note when Ciao Lucas Jimenez sent an overhead kick over Mohammed Al Owais’ crossbar in the fourth minute.

Six minutes later, Saudi Arabia were ahead. A corner was cleared only as far as Al Hammami, whose effort took a deflection on its way past Khalid Eisa.

The Green Falcons needed just three more minutes to double their advantage. Al Buraikan drove into the penalty area before steering a low finish beyond Eisa to leave the Emiratis with an early mountain to climb.

Georgios Donis’ side nearly added a third in the 16th minute when Saleh Abu Al Shamat broke clear and lifted the ball beyond the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the post.

The UAE, led by Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic, responded as Jimenez fired wide before going even closer in the 24th minute, crashing an effort against the post after being found by Mamadou Coulibaly.

Dalic’s men then thought they had a route back into the contest seven minutes before half-time when Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed pointed to the spot after Bruno went down under Hassan Tambakti’s challenge.

The decision was overturned following a VAR review, however, with Jayed reversing his call after consulting the pitchside monitor as Saudi Arabia took their two-goal cushion into the interval.

The UAE emerged with greater urgency after the restart, but Saudi Arabia weathered the early pressure and soon regained control, with Eisa producing a fine save to deny Mohammed Kanno in the 67th minute.

From there, the hosts managed their advantage comfortably before the final whistle confirmed Saudi Arabia as Gulf champions for the first time since 2003. They finished the tournament unbeaten without conceding a single goal.

Donis had guided his side past Kuwait, Oman and Iraq in the group stage before a penalty-shootout victory over Qatar in the semi-finals.

Al Hammami was named the tournament’s best player, while Al Buraikan finished as joint top scorer with three goals and Abu Al Shamat was named player of the final. Captain Al Owais received the best goalkeeper award, becoming the fourth Saudi to win the honour.

Yemen’s Adel Qasem was named the tournament’s best young player.

Both finalists will next turn their attention to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host from January 7 to February 5.