Qatar successfully launched their 27th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over defending champions Bahrain at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. The match on Thursday saw Boualem Khoukhi break the deadlock in the 61st minute with a well-placed header from an Akram Afif free-kick.
Despite Qatar being reduced to 10 men when Ahmed Fathi received his second yellow card in the 70th minute, Bahrain struggled to capitalize on the numerical advantage. Qatar’s defense held firm against Bahrain’s attempts to find an equalizer, maintaining their lead.
The victory was cemented in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Hassan Al Haydos scored from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box. This win places Qatar in second place in Group B, trailing the United Arab Emirates, who secured a 4-0 victory over Yemen earlier the same day.
Looking ahead, Qatar is set to face Yemen in their next group match, while Bahrain will take on the UAE. The outcome of these matches will be crucial in determining the progression of the teams in the tournament.