Bahrain edged past Saudi Arabia 3-2 tonight to get their title bid off to a winning start in the 26th Gulf Cup, currently being held in Kuwait.
Mahdi Abduljabbar and Mahdi Humaidan were both on target in the first half and then Mohammed Jassim Marhoon helped seal the victory with a goal in the final quarter-hour.
The Bahrainis had to stave off a late Saudi charge as their opponents twice fought back to within a goal. Bahrain’s Ebrahim Luthfallah came up with a number of key stops to preserve their slim advantage.
The result earned Bahrain the full three points on the Group B standings in the tournament’s preliminary round. Iraq beat Yemen 1-0 in this evening’s other divisional fixture.
The Bahrainis are back in action on Wednesday in a Christmas Day clash against the Iraqis.
More in tomorrow’s GDN and online.
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