Caitlin Dillon
The final’s singular goal, slotted by Mohamed Al-Rumaihi in the 69th minute, allowed Bahrain to walk away from the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup with their first-ever tournament title.
In a competition that has been unpredictable from the get-go, all of the usual suspects did not perform as expected, with all-time Gulf Cup champions Kuwait bowing out in the group stages, and Iraq, who looked strong from the competition’s opener, getting knocked out by Bahrain – who until now had never won the tournament – in the semi-finals.
With the finalists managing just a handful of shots on target between them, it remained unclear which of the sides would be taking the trophy home, with extra time looking likely for two-thirds of the match. The final started with a rollercoaster of emotions for both sides, as just twelve minutes in, the Saudis were awarded a penalty, which Salman Al-Faraj stepped up for. Just as it appeared that Bahrain would have to work hard to get back in the game, Al-Faraj shocked the region, spectacularly missing the target.
As both sides fought to get on top, Mahdi Al-Humaidan crossed the ball into the box, and Al-Rumaihi wasted no time in taking advantage of the opportunity.
The clock ticked on, and it became ever more apparent that thanks to Al-Rumaihi, Bahrain would be the ones to be crowned Gulf Cup champions by His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup came to a close.