In a strong start to their 27th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign, Qatar secured a 2-0 victory against defending champions Bahrain at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah on Thursday. The match saw Boualem Khoukhi score the opening goal in the 61st minute, capitalizing on an Akram Afif free-kick with a precise header.
Despite Qatar being reduced to 10 players following Ahmed Fathi’s second yellow card in the 70th minute, Bahrain struggled to capitalize on the numerical advantage. The Qatari defense held firm under pressure, preventing Bahrain from equalizing.
Qatar solidified their lead in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Hassan Al Haydos successfully converted a penalty after being fouled in the box. This victory places Qatar in second place in Group B, trailing the United Arab Emirates, who earlier defeated Yemen 4-0.
Looking ahead, Qatar will face Yemen in their next group match, while Bahrain will seek to recover against the UAE. The win not only boosts Qatar’s confidence but also sets a competitive tone for their ongoing tournament journey.