Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced off on Saturday, December 21, 2024, ending their opening match of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with a 1-1 draw at the Jaber Al Mubarak Stadium, Kuwait. This match was not just about points; it served as both teams' first attempt to make their mark early in the tournament.
Akram Afif put the Asian champions Qatar on the scoreboard first, converting a penalty kick in the 17th minute. The penalty was awarded after UAE defender Khalifa Al Hammadi handled the ball, allowing Afif to coolly send it down the middle as UAE's goalkeeper Khalid Eissa dove to his left. His goal marked a strong start for Qatar, who were eager to assert control against their regional rivals.
But the UAE would not be easily subdued. Just before the halftime whistle, Yahya Al Ghassani made headlines with his stunning solo effort to equalize for the UAE. Collecting the ball on the left, Al Ghassani launched himself forward, evading defenders with deft skill before slotting the ball beautifully past Qatar’s goalkeeper, Meshaal Barsham. The UAE carried the momentum from this spectacular goal, having momentarily secured their footing as the teams entered halftime with 1-1 on the scoreboard.
The second half saw the UAE dominating possession and pressing Qatar. Despite their increased efforts, the Qatari defense stood resilient, with Barsham making several key saves to deny dangerous shots, including one from Fabio Lima. The match underscored Qatar’s struggle to maintain offensive pressure and retain possession, as they spent much of the time on the back foot.
Throughout the match, both teams had their moments of close calls. UAE's Bruno had seemingly scored but was denied by VAR, which ruled him offside. The back-and-forth intensity showcased the competitive nature of the Gulf rivals.
Earlier, the tournament kicked off with H.H. Amir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah inaugurally opening the proceedings, attended by officials including the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. Amid cheers and fanfare, Kuwait's draw with Oman, represented the complexity and unpredictability of the tournament, setting the stage for the competition to come.
Interestingly, all four teams within Group A—Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman—are now level on points after their respective opening matches, each team earning one point.
Looking forward, Qatar is set to face Oman next, where both sides will be eager to secure valuable points. Meanwhile, the UAE will square off against tournament hosts Kuwait, both aiming for victory to gain momentum.
The Arabian Gulf Cup, which runs until January 3, 2025, promises more exciting matches as it brings together the best from the region. Defending champions Iraq will also compete later today against Yemen, adding another layer of anticipation to this tournament.
