Saudi Gazette Report
MANAMA — United Arab Emirates sustained their fine sequence of victories in the Gulf Cup with a 2-1 verdict against Iraq to add to their only one previous Gulf Cup title in 2007.
But like in the semifinals, they left it till late to seal victory.
The match-winner by substitute Ismail Al-Hammadi in the 107th minute came in the second session of extra time and then they beat back the game Iraqis to lift the 21st Gulf Cup in a thrilling final on Friday.
The scores was tied 1-1 at regulation, and the first extra session proved barren. UAE’s Abdelaziz Husain, in the 101st minute, and Saied Salem Al-Kuthairi, in the 109th, were shown the yellow cards as UAE desperately tried to hang on to their slim advantage.
Cheered on by a large number of Emirati fans, who had made their way to the Bahrain National Stadium on special fights, UAE showed steadfastness in defense to hold on to a superb victory. Thousands of UAE fans roared in celebration when the final whistle was blown.
The Emiratis, put ahead by Omar Abdulrahman in the 28th minute, nearly rode out this goal with a fine blend of attacking and defensive soccer. A sterling display at the backline closed out the Iraqis till the 81st minute when Younis Mahmoud Khalf sneaked in the equalizer.
Ironically it was the Iraqis, seeking their fourth title, who were more robust after the early UAE goal. Saif Salman, in the 40th minute, and Khalaf, in the 68th minute, were flashed the yellow card for rough play.
Earlier, Kuwait won the third place by drubbing Bahrain 6-1 the third-fourth place playoff at the National Stadium in Isa Town here. This is the second time Kuwait has won the third place in the tournament, although it has a record 10 titles. Bahrain has never been crowned with a title.
Abdulhadi Khamis’s stunning hat trick was the highlight of the match. Kuwait had fallen behind to Abdulla Yusuf’s first-minute opener but was in front by the break as Khamis struck twice in three minutes to turn the game around.
Things went from bad to worse for Bahrain less than five minutes after the break as goalkeeper Abbas Ahmed was shown a red card for a foul on Bader Al-Mutawa.
The game was held up for several minutes as substitute ‘keeper Mahmood Al-Ajmi prepared himself to come on and his first task was to pick the ball out of the net ? twice.
Khamis made light of the suspension of play but due to an encroachment by several of his teammates he was forced to re-take his spot-kick, which he duly tucked home.
The 10-men of Bahrain enjoyed their best spell of the game in the 10 minutes following the penalty but were unable to convert any of the chances they created.
Sami Mohammed was the biggest culprit as he found himself in acres of space in the Kuwait box only to attempt an ambitious dink over the onrushing Hameed Youssef.
Kuwait made the most of their reprieve as two goals in a minute from Abdulrahman Alshammari and Al Mutawa put the result beyond doubt.
Abdulaziz Al-Saleemi then made it six, heading home a cross from skipper Al-Mutawa and the hosts had Al-Ajmi to thank to preventing the Blues adding a seventh.