Qatar went down to Bahrain 1-2 in their second group stage match of the Arabian Gulf Cup at the Al Minaa Olympic Stadium in Basra, Iraq, yesterday. The young side were gunning for their second successive win – after 2-0 victory over Kuwait in the opener – and a place in the semi-finals.
But defending champions Bahrain came back from a goal down to keep their unbeaten record against Qatar in the Gulf Cup intact, having not lost to them in the regional competition since 2002. Qatar, missing many senior players and under temporary Portuguese coach Bruno Pinheiro – controlled the possession but two costly errors from Mohamed Waad cost them the game.
Waad had a hand in Qatar’s goal in the 34th minute with the midfielder’s cross nodded in by Ahmed Alaaeldin. But Waad was left helpless as Kamil al-Aswad shot took a deflection off his right foot and went to the net. Waad’s night ended in more agony when he conceded a penalty with a handball in 89th minute. Abdulla Yusuf Helal converted the penalty as Bahrain moved one step closer to semi-final spot.
Bahrain are top of Group B on six points, with Qatar second on three points. Kuwait, who edged past the United Arab Emirates earlier, are also on three points. Qatar next take on already-eliminated UAE on Friday, while Bahrain face Kuwait.
“We will rectify our mistakes and come back strongly in our next match,” Qatar captain Ismaeel Mohamed said after the match. “Losing is part of the game and I am confident that the team will play well to reach far in the tournament. One defeat doesn’t mean we are out; in fact it will help us improve. We played well in our first match and this defeat will not affect our confidence. I am hopeful that the team will bounce back,” he added.
Bahrain, under Coach Helio Sousa, showed they have the quality to retain the title. After a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign last year, the team looks settled and has plenty of experience.
Sousa was pleased with yesterday’s win. “We were good from the start. Our desire was great to win and the players managed to come away with the full points. Yes, there are young players playing for the first time but they deserve this opportunity. These matches will help in their development. The best achievement in my career with Bahrain was winning the Gulf Cup in 2019, which brought out many promising players after that,” the Portuguese manager said.
Earlier, UAE crashed out of the tournament after following a last-gasp defeat to Kuwait. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side, who opened their Group B campaign on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to holders Bahrain, were beaten 1-0.
An own goal by captain Walid Abbas in stoppage time ended the UAE’s hopes of a third title. The defender turned in Ahmad al-Dhefiri free-kick to leave Emiratis heartbroken. The result leaves the UAE, champions in 2007 and 2013, unable to qualify for the semi-finals by dint of their head-to-head record with the other sides.