Kuwait City: Oman and Oman reached the final of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait, which will be played on Saturday.
Bahrain was to 10 men in the second half to beat the host nation 1-0, while Oman, also down to 10 men in their first half, stunned Saudi Arabia to book their place with a 2-1.
The first half saw Kuwait’s Fahad Al Hajeri clear off the line eight minutes before the break to send the sides into the interval goalless at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium.
In the second half when Bahrain’s Mohamed Marhoon struck the crossbar two minutes after the restart, but in the 52nd minute striker Mahdi Abduljabber saw red for his second caution to give Kuwait a man advantage.
It was 10-man Bahrain, however, who broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Marhoon swept home from close range after a right-wing free-kick caused chaos in the Kuwait box. Kuwait looked for an equalizer, cheered on by a vociferous 60,122 crowd, but Bahrain’s defense held firm for a memorable victory.
Earlier, The Oman national team edged Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a thrilling first semifinal of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup at Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium in Sulaibikhat City in Kuwait on Tuesday evening.
Oman reached the final six times, after winning the title twice in the 19th and 23rd editions, and lost the final in the 17th, 18th, and 25th editions.
Oman was facing Saudi Arabia for the first time in the Gulf Cup semifinal. And overall 21 matches, Saudi Arabia won 17, compared to four by Oman.
Oman will face the winner of the second semifinal between hosts Kuwait and Bahrain, in the final on January 4 at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, which can accommodate 80,000 spectators.
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