Gulf Cup 27: Qatar Beat Bahrain 2-0

Qatar defeated Bahrain 2-0 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in their opening Group B match of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, currently being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Boualem Khoukhi scored in the 61st minute before Hassan Al Haydos converted a penalty in the ninth minute of added time. The victory earned Qatar all three points and left them level at the top of the group with the UAE, who also won their opening match by beating Yemen 4-0. Bahrain and Yemen occupied third and fourth place respectively without any points.

Both teams adopted a cautious defensive approach at the start of the match and avoided taking attacking risks. The only danger came from several individual attempts that failed to develop into genuine chances during the opening 15 minutes.

Qatar produced the first threat after Akram Afif exchanged passes with Almoez Ali before striking a powerful shot that goalkeeper Ibrahim Lutfallah saved in the 16th minute. Bahrain responded four minutes later through Mohamed Marhoon, whose shot went over the crossbar.

The attacking play became more effective during the second half of the opening period. Bahrain threatened goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada when the ball reached Mahdi Humaidan inside the penalty area, but his powerful 27th-minute effort went narrowly past the post.

Qatar responded in the 30th minute when Ahmed Fathi met a cross from Sultan Al Brake with a shot, forcing the goalkeeper to intervene and protect his goal.

Qatar showed a clear advantage during the closing minutes of the first half. Akram Afif came close to opening the scoring after receiving a pass from Almoez Ali in front of goal, but he rushed his effort and sent the ball over the crossbar in the 42nd minute. The first half ended goalless.

Qatar maintained their advantage after the interval. Almoez Ali nearly scored with a header from an Ayoub Al Alawi cross, but the ball went over the crossbar in the 52nd minute.

Khoukhi then broke the deadlock in the 61st minute. He met Akram Afif's cross from a set piece and directed the ball into the net to give Qatar the lead.

Bahrain increased their attacking efforts in search of an equaliser before gaining a numerical advantage when the referee showed Ahmed Fathi a second yellow card followed by a red in the 70th minute.

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui made several substitutions to manage the numerical disadvantage and preserve the lead, while Bahrain intensified their pressure during the remaining minutes as they continued searching for an equaliser.

During added time, Qatar were awarded a penalty after Hassan Al Haydos was brought down by defender Abbas Al Asfoor, who was shown a red card. Al Haydos converted the penalty in the ninth minute of added time, scoring Qatar's second goal and securing a 2-0 victory at the final whistle.

Source: QNA

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