KUWAIT: With His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, gracing the stands and thousands of Omani fans passionately supporting their Red Warriors, Oman entered the final with high hopes of reliving their 2009 glory. The team, led by Coach Rashid Jaber, showcased determination and spirit, but Bahrain’s resilience ultimately made the difference.
The match began with both teams testing each other’s defenses, setting a tense pace. Oman’s star striker Mushaifri brought the stadium alive in the 17th minute with a clinical header off Ali Busaidi’s cross, giving Oman an early 1-0 lead. Bahrain, however, kept pressing, probing Oman’s defense for weaknesses but struggled with accuracy and coordination.
As the first half concluded with Oman in the lead, hopes soared in the Omani camp. However, Bahrain’s Coach Dragan Talajić had other plans for the second half, motivating his team to regroup and strategize.
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The turning point came in the 76th minute when a penalty awarded to Bahrain saw Marhoon calmly slot the ball past Al Rushaidi, equalizing the score. Just minutes later, Musalami’s defensive misstep allowed Bahrain to snatch a second goal in the 80th minute, flipping the script entirely.
Oman suffered injury setbacks in the last 9 minutes, which were added at injury time, as Al Rushaidi injured his ankle, and his game ended on a bitter note.
Oman’s attempts to rally fell short as Bahrain tightened their grip on the game. Despite a valiant effort, Oman couldn’t find the equalizer, and Bahrain celebrated their triumph as the final whistle blew.
This hard-fought final was a testament to both teams’ skill and determination, but Bahrain’s late-game composure crowned them champions of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup. For Oman, it was a bitterly close finish, but the team can hold their heads high for their commendable journey throughout the tournament.
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