Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Saudi Arabia defeated the UAE 2-0 in the Arabian Gulf Cup final on Tuesday night in Jeddah, with the hosts securing victory in the first final meeting between the two sides in the tournament’s history.
A cruel deflected goal and then a lapse in the aftermath saw goals from Hammam Al Hamami and Feras Al Buraikan seal the hopes of the UAE despite a spirited performance.
A packed King Abdullah Sports City Stadium created an electric atmosphere, with flares and smoke adding to the festive mood. The UAE registered their first attempt on goal in the third minute when Nicolas Jimenez attempted a bicycle kick with his back to goal, the ball sailing barely one foot over the crossbar.
Saudi Arabia took the lead in the 11th minute. From a clearance following the first corner-kick, Al Hamami struck a shot that deflected off the wall of UAE defenders, leaving goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stranded and wrong-footed. Two minutes later, Al Buraikan was sent clear to score a well-timed second goal.
In the 39th minute, Bruno Oliveira was brought down by Hassan Al Tambakti’s outstretched leg. Jimenez prepared to take the resulting penalty, but VAR officials summoned the referee to the halfway line and the award was waved off after it was judged that the faintest of touches by Al Tambakti was not serious enough.
The smoke from the flares had cleared by half-time as the teams went into the break with Saudi Arabia leading 2-0. The UAE had five shots to Saudi Arabia’s three and three fouls to their opponents’ five in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half settled into a steady pattern of play, with Saudi Arabia content to wait and the UAE backline pushing forward cautiously as the contest oscillated in midfield. In the 68th minute, left-back Muteb Al Harbi broke into the UAE area to meet a cross, but Eisa rushed out and blocked the attempt with his chest. A second cooling break was taken in the 75th minute.
In the 87th minute, a stinging volley beat an acrobatic dive by the Saudi goalkeeper only to strike the woodwork. The rebound fell to substitute Fabio de Lima, who was forced to pivot with his back to goal and could only manage a weak attempt.
Saudi Arabia had entered the final with the best defensive record in the tournament as they held firm for a fourth title in the tournament, also known as Khaleeji Cup 27.
