FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN narrowly missed out on a place in the final yesterday in the Gulf Cup for Veteran Players 2025, currently being held in Kuwait.
The nationals lost to Oman 1-2 in their semi-final clash, ending their bid in the regional competition.
Ahmed Hassan was on target for the Bahrainis in the contest, played at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium in Kuwait City. But his strike wasn’t enough to send his team through to today’s title-decider, as Bahrain conceded two goals later on in the game.
The Omanis move forward to face Iraq for the title. The final is scheduled for this evening with a 7pm kick-off.
The Iraqis secured their berth after winning 1-0 against Qatar in yesterday’s other last-four clash.
The tournament’s champions will pocket a cool $200,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will take home $150,000.
In their tough loss yesterday, Bahrain head coach Khalil Shuwair fielded a starting 11 against Oman that included Ali Saeed between the posts, along with Basil Sultan, Hadi Ali, Hamad Rakea, Faouzi Aaish, Saleh Abdulhameed, Mohammed Abdulla, Mahmood Abdulrahman, Mohammed Hubail, skipper Talal Yusuf, and goal scorer Hassan.
Hassan put the Bahrainis ahead in the fourth minute after converting from close range.
He pounced on an opportunity after Oman’s legendary goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi failed to control a corner-kick. He got both hands on the ball but mishandled it, and as it bounced off the pitch, Hassan took advantage and fired into the net.
Despite this, Oman were on target twice later on, with Hashem Saleh and Hassan Rabie both contributing to their account.
Saleh was first to score from close range from the right of the six-yard box, and then Rabie supplied the winner on a three-against-one with Bahrain’s Saeed.
The Gulf Cup for Veteran Players 2025 features participants aged 40 and above. Matches have been played over 40 minutes with two 20-minute halves. The number of substitutions per game has been open, and VAR technology has not been used.
Bahrain competed in the tournament with a 23-player squad. Others on the list included Ali Hassan, Ali Aamer, Ghazi Al Kuwair, Rashid Al Dosari, Hussain Ali, Khaled Jassim, Mohammed Bashir, Musa Mubarak, Mohammed Salman, Murtadha Abdulwahab, Mahmood Ayad, and Yasser Al Amer.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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