Gulf Cup Final: Saudi Arabia and UAE to Clash on Tuesday as Hosts Chase 22-Year Title Wait
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the Gulf Cup final on Tuesday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, after contrasting semifinal victories set up an all-Gulf heavyweight clash.
The UAE reached the final with a 1-0 win over Oman on Saturday, thanks to a close-range header from forward Ousmane Camara. The result took Zlatko Dalic's side into the Gulf Cup final for the first time since 2018, and the Emirates are now chasing a third title after their triumphs in 2007 and 2013. UAE playmaker Nicolas Gimenez squandered a penalty in the 56th minute, but Camara's strike proved enough.
Oman, runners-up in the previous edition, had reached the semifinals in unusual fashion — advancing ahead of Iraq by lot after the two sides finished level on every Group A tiebreak criterion, Reuters reported.
Saudi's penalty drama
Saudi Arabia's route to the final was far more nerve-shredding. The hosts edged Asian champions Qatar 3-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, 34, was the hero, saving spot-kicks from Jassem Gaber and Boualem Khoukhi — denying Khoukhi again when his kick was ordered to be retaken. Qatar, solid in defence, came closest in open play when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar late on. The main talking point for Julen Lopetegui's side was talisman Akram Afif's visibly frustrated reaction after being substituted in the 69th minute.
A 22-year wait
Saudi Arabia will now hope to end a 22-year wait to regain the Gulf Cup on home soil. The hosts' squad rotation through the tournament suggests a deliberate build-up toward Tuesday's showpiece, while the UAE's compact, counter-attacking shape under Dalic — a manager who has guided Croatia to World Cup podiums — promises a tactical final.
With the trophy at stake and regional bragging rights on the line, Tuesday's final brings the Gulf Cup to a fitting close in front of a partisan home crowd.
Sources: Reuters
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the Gulf Cup final on Tuesday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, after contrasting semifinal victories set up an all-Gulf heavyweight clash.
The UAE reached the final with a 1-0 win over Oman on Saturday, thanks to a close-range header from forward Ousmane Camara. The result took Zlatko Dalic's side into the Gulf Cup final for the first time since 2018, and the Emirates are now chasing a third title after their triumphs in 2007 and 2013. UAE playmaker Nicolas Gimenez squandered a penalty in the 56th minute, but Camara's strike proved enough.
Oman, runners-up in the previous edition, had reached the semifinals in unusual fashion — advancing ahead of Iraq by lot after the two sides finished level on every Group A tiebreak criterion, Reuters reported.
Saudi's penalty drama
Saudi Arabia's route to the final was far more nerve-shredding. The hosts edged Asian champions Qatar 3-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes. Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, 34, was the hero, saving spot-kicks from Jassem Gaber and Boualem Khoukhi — denying Khoukhi again when his kick was ordered to be retaken. Qatar, solid in defence, came closest in open play when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar late on. The main talking point for Julen Lopetegui's side was talisman Akram Afif's visibly frustrated reaction after being substituted in the 69th minute.
A 22-year wait
Saudi Arabia will now hope to end a 22-year wait to regain the Gulf Cup on home soil. The hosts' squad rotation through the tournament suggests a deliberate build-up toward Tuesday's showpiece, while the UAE's compact, counter-attacking shape under Dalic — a manager who has guided Croatia to World Cup podiums — promises a tactical final.
With the trophy at stake and regional bragging rights on the line, Tuesday's final brings the Gulf Cup to a fitting close in front of a partisan home crowd.
Sources: Reuters
