Saudi Arabia’s national team will be seeking to secure a spot in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup final when they face Oman in the tournament’s knockout stage at Kuwait City’s Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia marched to the semifinals after finishing second in Group B with six important points. The team showcased a dominant attack following a disappointing opening loss to Bahrain. The Green Falcons rallied to stage a stunning comeback, defeating Yemen 3-2 and Iraq 3-1. This impressive performance saw them net eight goals across three group matches. Coach Herve Renard’s team aims to reach the final for the first time since 2019. They also hope to claim their first title since 2004.
Recent Performance and Challenges
Saudi Arabia have shown remarkable form, scoring eight goals in three Gulf Cup group matches. This tally represents the highest goals scored at the tournament this year. Moreover, they netted eleven goals over four international encounters this month, showcasing considerable attacking prowess.
However, the team have faced challenges due to the absence of crucial players. Saleh Al-Shehri, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, and Firas Al-Buraikan have all missed recent matches. Additionally, left-back Yasser Al-Shahrani suffered a joint injury, forcing him to miss crucial wins over Yemen and Iraq.
On the other hand, Oman qualified for the knockout stage after topping Group A with five valuable points. They went unbeaten despite conceding first in all their group-stage matches. Oman drew 1-1 against both Kuwait and the UAE, sandwiching a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Qatar. Rashid Jaber’s side now aims to reach their second consecutive final and potentially win their third Gulf Cup title.
The Green Falcons will be eager to replicate their 2-1 victory over Oman in the 2023 Asian Cup. In that match, Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghareeb and Ali Al-Bulayhi scored important goals. This victory allowed the Saudis to advance to the tournament’s knockout stage.
Moreover, the Saudis have a strong record against Oman, winning 15 of their 24 encounters, with just six defeats. However, Oman edged Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their last Gulf Cup meeting, demonstrating their ability to handle high-pressure games.
Key Players and Matchups
Saudi Arabia’s attack, led by Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Salem Al-Dawsari, has been firing on all cylinders. They have scored a tournament-high eight goals this year. Conversely, Oman will rely on Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri, who scored a crucial equalizer against the UAE. Their solid defense, led by Al-Mukhaini, will play a key role in the match.
The Green Falcons have a strong record against Oman, winning 15 of their 24 encounters, with just six defeats. However, Oman edged Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their last Gulf Cup meeting. This history demonstrates Oman’s ability to handle high-pressure games effectively.
Probable Lineups:
Oman: Al-Mukhaini; Al-Harthi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Musalaimi, Al-Busaidi; Al-Yahmadi, Al-Saadi, Al-Alawi, Fawaz; Al-Sabhi, Al-Mushaifri
Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Al-Ghannam, Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Boushal; Al-Malki; Al-Juwayr, Kanno, N. Al-Dawsari, S. Al-Dawsari; Radif
Saudi Arabia’s prolific attack will challenge Oman’s experienced squad, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. While the Green Falcons are favorites, Oman could capitalize on defensive lapses, making this a closely contested match.
This clash determines who advances to the final to face the winner of the other semifinal between Bahrain and Kuwait, as both teams aim to keep their Gulf Cup title dreams alive.
