Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Muscat: Holders Bahrain began their 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over United Arab Emirates at the Basra International Stadium on Saturday. In another Group B match of the 25th edition Qatar, meanwhile, also got off to a perfect start with a 2-0 triumph over Kuwait in the later match.
Bahrain, aiming to win the title for a second time, found UAE a tough nut to crack in the first half with the Emiratis enjoying the better chances.
Neither side, however, was able to find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.
That changed in the 60th minute with Kamil Al Aswad opening the scoring for Bahrain with a free-kick from outside the area.
There was more cheer in the 77th minute with Jasim Al Shaikh's strike from distance doubling their advantage.
Sebastian Tagliabue pulled one back for UAE in added time but there was to be no comeback as Bahrain took the points.
In the other game, Qatar struck twice in the first half to seal the points against a spirited Kuwait side.
Fielding a largely young team, Qatar opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Amro Surag's curling shot from just inside the box.
Kuwait tried to find a way back but found themselves further behind when Ahmed Alaaeldin struck from the penalty spot in the 38th minute.
In Group A, Saudi Arabia will aim for their second win when they play hosts Iraq on Monday while Oman and Yemen will both be aiming for their first victories when they square off.
