Saudi Arabia emerged as champions of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup on Tuesday, marking the end of a 22-year wait for a regional title. Playing before a home crowd at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, the hosts delivered a decisive 2-0 victory against the United Arab Emirates.
The breakthrough came early in the 11th minute when Hammam Al Hammami fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball took a critical deflection, successfully wrong-footing UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa. Momentum remained with the hosts as Firas Al Buraikan extended the lead just three minutes later with a precise, low left-footed strike.
While the UAE attempted to mount a comeback, Saudi Arabia maintained a disciplined defensive structure to protect their two-goal cushion until the final whistle. This triumph marks the fourth time Saudi Arabia has claimed the regional trophy. For the UAE, reaching the final itself had been an encouraging run.
The path to the final was hard-fought for both sides. The UAE, managed by Zlatko Dalic, had progressed by winning Group B and defeating Oman 1-0 in the semi-finals, marking their first final appearance since 2018. Leading up to the match, there had been significant fan interest, with travel demand prompting the doubling of flight capacity for UAE supporters traveling to Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia secured their place in the championship match by narrowly edging out Qatar in a dramatic semi-final that remained scoreless through 120 minutes of play, ultimately finishing 3-2 on penalties. Following the loss, the UAE team looked back on a tournament that saw them overcome significant challenges to reach the final stage.