Saudi Arabia’s hopes of lifting the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup were dashed as Oman secured a thrilling 2-1 victory in the semifinal clash at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
Second-half goals from Arshad Al-Alawi and Ali Al-Busaidi powered Oman to victory, despite Mohamed Kanno’s late goal for Saudi Arabia, it did not suffice for a comeback. Despite falling short, the Green Falcons fought valiantly.
Saudi Arabia started strong with a lineup similar to the one that previously secured victory over Iraq in the group stage. There were only two changes, as Marwan Al-Sahafi and Abdullah Al-Hamdan came in the starting XI to bolster the chances against Oman.
Saudi Arabia pressed forward aggressively from the first whistle, seeking an early advantage. However, a lack of precision in the final third prevented them from capitalizing on their dominance.
10-man Oman thrive
Oman’s counterattacks posed significant threats to the Saudi defense, though the match briefly shifted momentum in Saudi Arabia’s favor when Rabia Al-Alaw received a red card following a VAR review for a foul on Salem Al-Dawsari. Despite playing with ten men, Oman showcased resilience, thwarting Saudi Arabia’s attempts to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
In the second half, Oman executed a well-organized defensive strategy while employing counterattacks effectively. At the 60-minute mark, Saudi Arabia appeared to score, but VAR ruled Sultan Al-Ghannam offside, overturning Abdullah Al-Hamdan’s goal.
Late drama seals Oman’s triumph
Arshad Al-Alawi broke the deadlock with a stunning free kick at the 74th minute, curling the ball perfectly into the bottom left corner, leaving Saudi Arabia stunned. Despite relentless pressure, Saudi Arabia struggled to find an equalizer. Five minutes before full-time, Ali Al-Busaidi doubled Oman’s lead, converting a precise cross from Abdul-Rahman Al-Mushaifr.
Two minutes later, Mohamed Kanno ignited brief hope, scoring with a powerful strike after a rebound outside the box. Despite the Green Falcons’ late attempts to equalize, they ultimately fell short, giving Oman the 2-1 victory.
With this result, Oman advanced to the final for the second successive time, where they will face the winner of the semifinal between Bahrain and Kuwait.
