The tension builds as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepares to face Kuwait once again on the pitch for the Gulf Cup match scheduled at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Kick-off is set for 00:30 WIB and promises to be another thrilling encounter as both teams battle for supremacy among the top four squads of Group A.
After their respective openers resulted in 1-1 draws, with Oman against Kuwait and Qatar against UAE, both teams find themselves at crossroads, vying for victory to stay competitive in the tournament. Historically, the Gulf Cup has evoked challenging performances from the UAE, who, with just one point on the board and having not won any group matches for the last six tournaments, look to break this jinx.
According to sports analysts, the UAE’s struggle to secure wins contrasted sharply with their earlier strong qualifications for the 2026 World Cup, where they dominated past opponents, defeating Kyrgyzstan 3-0 and Qatar 5-0. Yet, the squad's inconsistency emerged as they managed only one goal from four targeted shots against Qatar during their opening match. This has raised questions among fans and critics alike about the squad’s ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
Overall, the Emirati squad, led by head coach Paulo Bento, has been impressive when scoring first—having won all six matches this year when they netted the opening goal. On the other hand, Kuwait enters this match on shaky ground, aiming to bounce back after failing to win any of their last ten games. Their last competitive victory was achieved during the World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan prior to this tournament.
This upcoming match is especially significant for several players. Khalifa Al Hammadi achieved his 50th cap with UAE during the last match, marking him as one of the key figures to lead his team against Kuwait. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Yousef Nasser demonstrated great skill with his impressive scoring streak, battling to maintain momentum against the UAE defense.
The head-to-head statistics also reveal some intriguing patterns. Traditionally, matches between UAE and Kuwait often yield tight contests. Out of 42 encounters, Kuwait has won 18 times compared with UAE's 17 victories, highlighting the competitive nature of their rivalries. When they last met at the Gulf Cup, Kuwait managed to maintain their unbeaten streak against the UAE, and fans are hopeful for similar outcomes this time.
The anticipated lineups for both sides suggest similar strategies as they gear up for the match. The projected starting eleven for the UAE includes Eisa; Ibrahim, Al Hammadi, Autonne, Meloni; Hunt, Nader; Caio, Lima, Al Ghassani; and Bruno, reflecting their standard formation aimed at balancing defense with offensive pressure.
For Kuwait, the lineup could feature K. Al-Rashidi; Al-Hajeri, Al-Sanea, El Ebrahim, Ghanem; Zayid, Al-Enezi; E. Al-Rashidi, Majed, Daham; and Nasser, who will try to create opportunities and capitalize on any defensive lapses by the UAE.
With both teams hungry for points and reeling from their previous results, the stakes couldn't be higher. Based on recent performances and head-to-head history, the match is expected to conclude with the score tied at 1-1.
This prediction highlights the challenges both squads face and reflects the cautious optimism stemming from their previous encounters. Whichever team can seize the initiative first may very well carry the day as this Gulf Cup game approaches, setting the tone for the remaining fixtures.
