Saudi Arabia beat UAE 2-0 to end 22-year wait for Arabian Gulf Cup crown

Goals from Hammam Al-Hammami and Firas Al-Buraikan give the hosts their fourth Arabian Gulf Cup trophy.Saudi Arabia have ended a long wait for an Arabian Gulf Cup trophy with a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates amid a charged atmosphere at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.The hosts held on to an early lead, thanks to goals from Hammam Al-Hammami and Firas Al-Buraikan, to lift the regional crown on Tuesday.Saudi Arabia set an early attacking pace in the game and were rewarded when Al-Hammami scored the opening goal in the 11th minute from the edge of the penalty area, setting off wild celebrations in the stands.The home team’s dream start continued as, two minutes later, Al-Buraikan doubled the score with a close-range shot after a precise assist from Nasser Al-Dosari.Saudi Arabia’s Firas Al-Buraikan celebrates scoring their second goal [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]Saleh Abu Al-Shamat almost scored the third goal for Saudi Arabia in the 16th minute, but the ball was deflected off the goalpost after a one-on-one with UAE goalkeeper Khaled Issa.The UAE’s first attack came in the 24th minute, when Nicolas Gimenez’s shot hit the post.Six minutes before halftime, UAE’s Bruno thought he had won a penalty, only to be reversed by the video assistant referee.Saudi Arabia’s head coach Georgios Donis credited his team’s discipline for the long-awaited home win.“There were many difficulties, but the players showed focus and discipline and gave their best on the pitch,” he said after the match.“I think we turned those difficulties into a title, and that’s important. We were the best team in this tournament. This title gives us confidence for the future, and we must continue to show the same qualities.”Saudi fans celebrate with flares after winning the Gulf Cup [Reuters]Asian Cup boostAt the start of the second half, Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais saved a close-range shot from substitute Sultan Adel to maintain his impressive clean sheet in the tournament.Despite Saudi Arabia’s wastefulness in front of goal, their coach was pleased with the team’s efforts.“After the World Cup, we realised we made mistakes and went through bad moments, but we learned from that experience,” Donis said.“We improved our level and developed our style of play. And I think they deserve this result. It reflects our hard work.”Saudi Arabia have now won four Gulf Cup titles, with the last one clinched in 2004.The Green Falcons exited the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the group stage but will look at their performance in the Gulf Cup as a foundation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027.Saudi Arabia will host the continental tournament from January 7 to February 5, as it gears up to become the second Gulf country after Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.