FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN were last night crowned champions of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait, securing the prestigious title for the second time in the competition’s history.
Star midfielder Mohammed Jassim Marhoon fired in a 78th minute equaliser for the Bahrainis and then delivered a pass that was deflected by Omani defender Mohammed Almusallami into his own net just two minutes later.
That eventually decided the hotly contested and drama-filled affair, which ended 2-1 at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in the Kuwaiti capital.
Oman had earlier taken the lead in the 17th minute when Abdulrahman Mushaifiri headed in from close range off a corner kick.
Following the final, which was attended by 57,674 fans, both teams were presented their respective trophies and medals by high-ranking officials, including Kuwait Crown Prince Shaikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah.
Bahrain’s Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also on hand for the match and awards ceremony.
Others joining the national team in their on-pitch celebrations after the awarding were Bahrain Olympic Committee vice-president Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Football Association (BFA) president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, BFA vice-president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Isa Al Khalifa, BFA secretary general Rashed Alzaabi, and other officials.
Marhoon and Bahraini goalkeeper Ebrahim Luthfallah came away with individual honours for their sensational performances in the tournament.
Marhoon took home the Best Player and Best Scorer awards, while Luthfallah was the winner of the Best Goalkeeper accolade.
Bahrain’s title triumph last night added to their historic first-ever championship in the 2019 edition of the tournament.
Head coach Dragan Talajic fielded a starting 11 that included Luthfallah in goal, Amine Benaddi, Waleed Al Hayam, Abdulla Al Khalasi, and Hamad Shamsan in defence; Marhoon, Ali Madan, Mahdi Humaidan, Komail Al Aswad, and skipper Sayed Dhiya Saeed in a five-man midfield; and Mohammed Al Rumaihi up front.
Humaidan had a chance to open Bahrain’s account in the 12th minute but his attempt off a cross from Al Rumaihi narrowly missed its mark. Marhoon then had a powerful shot in the 14th minute from just outside the box punched away by Oman goalkeeper Faiyz Issa Rusheidi.
The Omanis then went ahead shortly after with Mushaifiri’s 18th-minute header. He connected on a corner kick delivered by teammate Ali Sulaiman Al Busaidi, managing to find a crack in the sturdy Bahrain defence to send the ball past Luthfallah from close range.
The nationals tried to respond and Madan had a great opportunity on the stroke of half-time, receiving a cross-field pass on the right of goal. But he slightly misfired on his volley, which went just inches past the left post.
In the second half, the Bahrainis stepped up their fight and Marhoon came close yet again in the 60th minute but headed over the crossbar.
Bahrain were then awarded their penalty as the match entered its last quarter-hour when Marhoon was brought down in the box by Oman’s Jameel Saleem Yahmmadi after brilliantly evading the defence of Thani Gharib Rushaidi as he approached the six-yard box.
Marhoon stepped forward to take the spot kick himself and he coolly sent in his effort into the bottom-left corner of the net, with Rusheidi guessing the wrong way.
That then set the stage for the decisive goal just two minutes on in the 80th minute, completing a stunning turn of events.
Marhoon received a pass on the left flank from Humaidan and charged towards goal. He then looked to deliver a low cross, but Almusallami stuck out his right boot to inadvertently deflect the ball into his own net, gifting the Bahrainis the lead.
The nationals then did enough to hold on to their advantage over the remainder of regular time and after nearly 15 minutes of second-half stoppage time.
With their victory, Bahrain came away with $1million in prize money from organisers the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation. Oman took home $750,000 as runners-up.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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