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Tribune News Network
Doha
Bahrain made history at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday as they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to lift their maiden Gulf Cup trophy after five final appearances.
The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani witnessed the final and later crowned the winners.
The Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani also graced the occasion.
Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) chairman and Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani was also present.
Bahrain emerged victorious thanks to a second half goal from Mohamed al Romaihi in the 69th minute as Helio Sousa’s side avenged their 2-0 defeat in the group stage to Saudi Arabia, who were denied a fourth Gulf Cup title.
A delighted Bahrain coach, later addressing the media credited all his players and coaching staff for the success.
“We had been preparing our players to be their best and our effort was to win every game and with that planning we came here for this tournament.
“We showed mettle against Iraq in the semi-final and had the belief.
“Our players are growing. They stuck to the one style of playing we proposed to them to make things happen, also knowing well that Saudi Arabia were a strong side but then their hard efforts paid off,” said the Portuguese coach.
Saudi Arabia were the better side in the first half and should have opened the scoring after 11 minutes when they were awarded a spot-kick after Salem al Dawsari was fouled inside the area by Jasim al Shaikh, but Salman al Faraj blasted the penalty over the crossbar.
Bahrain tried to hit back through counter attacks and Mahdi al Humaidan had a chance on the right side but his shot went directly to Saudi goalkeeper Fawaz al Qarni on 14 minutes.
The Saudi dominance continued but it was Bahrain who nearly finished the first half ahead as Mahdi al Humaidan headed a corner towards goal but custodian Qarni made a fingertip save four minutes before the break.
Saudi Arabia continued to pressure in the second period and could have opened the scoring seven minutes after the hour mark but Yasser al Shahrani’s shot from outside the area just sailed past the left upright.
Bahrain took the lead against the run of play when a counter attack on the left saw Humaidan send a low cross which Romaihi finished with a volley from close range in the 69th minute.
Saudi Arabia pushed forward but failed to create any real chances as Bahrain added the Gulf Cup to the WAFF Championship they lifted in August.
Doha
Bahrain made history at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday as they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 to lift their maiden Gulf Cup trophy after five final appearances.
The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani witnessed the final and later crowned the winners.
The Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani also graced the occasion.
Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) chairman and Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani was also present.
Bahrain emerged victorious thanks to a second half goal from Mohamed al Romaihi in the 69th minute as Helio Sousa’s side avenged their 2-0 defeat in the group stage to Saudi Arabia, who were denied a fourth Gulf Cup title.
A delighted Bahrain coach, later addressing the media credited all his players and coaching staff for the success.
“We had been preparing our players to be their best and our effort was to win every game and with that planning we came here for this tournament.
“We showed mettle against Iraq in the semi-final and had the belief.
“Our players are growing. They stuck to the one style of playing we proposed to them to make things happen, also knowing well that Saudi Arabia were a strong side but then their hard efforts paid off,” said the Portuguese coach.
Saudi Arabia were the better side in the first half and should have opened the scoring after 11 minutes when they were awarded a spot-kick after Salem al Dawsari was fouled inside the area by Jasim al Shaikh, but Salman al Faraj blasted the penalty over the crossbar.
Bahrain tried to hit back through counter attacks and Mahdi al Humaidan had a chance on the right side but his shot went directly to Saudi goalkeeper Fawaz al Qarni on 14 minutes.
The Saudi dominance continued but it was Bahrain who nearly finished the first half ahead as Mahdi al Humaidan headed a corner towards goal but custodian Qarni made a fingertip save four minutes before the break.
Saudi Arabia continued to pressure in the second period and could have opened the scoring seven minutes after the hour mark but Yasser al Shahrani’s shot from outside the area just sailed past the left upright.
Bahrain took the lead against the run of play when a counter attack on the left saw Humaidan send a low cross which Romaihi finished with a volley from close range in the 69th minute.
Saudi Arabia pushed forward but failed to create any real chances as Bahrain added the Gulf Cup to the WAFF Championship they lifted in August.
