Muscat: Oman missed out on a third title after losing 2-1 to Bahrain in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup final in Kuwait City on Saturday night.
The match was attended by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Bahrain, after an unimpressive first half, came back strong in the second half. Their strong push for an equaliser found the result in the 78th minute when Mohammed Marhoon converted a penalty kick.
Omani midfielder Jameel al Yahmadi tackled Marhoon inside the box prompting Qatari referee Abdulrahman al Jassim to point to the penalty spot.
Marhoon made no mistake as his kick went into the left corner as Oman keeper Fayez al Rushaidi dived to the right.
In the 80th minute, Bahrain took the lead when Mohammed Marhoon’s cross to the centre of the box was deflected by Oman captain Mohammed al Musalami for an own-goal.
Oman struck the first goal at the Jaber Al Ahmed International Stadium in Ardhiyah, Kuwait City.
Young striker Abdul Rahman al Mushaifri headed in from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner of the Bahrain net from Oman’s first corner, taken by Ali al Busaidy in the 17th minute.
In the 12th minute, Bahrain made two good moves.
Mahdi al Humaidan’s left-footed shot from very close range went high and wide to the right. In the second move, Mohamed al Romaihi’s header from the left side of the box missed to the right.
In the 15th minute, Oman keeper Fayez al Rushaidi saved Bahrain’s
Mohammed Marhoon’s strong right-footed shot from outside the box after an assist by Mohamed al Romaihi.
In the 45th minute, Bahrain’s Ali Madan’s right-footed shot from the right side of the box missed to the left after an assist by Mohamed Marhoon.
Oman won a direct free kick next, but Jameel al Yahmadi’s shot went high over the bar.
In the added time before the break, Oman’s Abdul Rahman al Mushaifri’s left-footed shot from the left side of the box went wide after an assist by Thani al Rushaidi.
The Red Warriors led 1-0 at the break.
In the second half, Mulham al Sinaidi replaced defender Ahmed al Khamisi due to an injury.
In the 59th minute, Bahrain came close to an equaliser but Mohamed Marhoon’s header from the centre of the box went high after a headed pass from Mohammed al Romaihi.
A crowd of 57,674 attended the match.
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