Red Warriors express regret

MUSCAT, JANUARY 5

Oman’s Red Warriors expressed their deep regret to their fans following their unexpected 2-1 loss to Bahrain in the final of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which concluded in Kuwait on Saturday night. Despite leading for most of the match, Oman conceded two late goals that dashed their hopes of claiming a third Gulf Cup title.

Oman’s captain, Mohammed al Musallami, congratulated Bahrain on their victory while reflecting on the hard-fought encounter. “Congratulations to Bahrain and hard luck to our team and fans. We played an excellent match but lost focus in the last five minutes of the game in the second half. There are many lessons to take from this defeat, and we must build on this experience for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers,” he said. Al Musallami acknowledged the team’s disappointment at not returning with the trophy. “Our aim was to bring the cup back to Oman, but football is a game of small details. We missed key opportunities to extend our lead, which cost us dearly. Now our focus shifts to maintaining momentum and performing strongly in future matches,” he concluded. Experienced midfielder Harib al Saadi echoed similar sentiments, expressing regret to Oman’s loyal supporters. “I thank my teammates for their commendable efforts. Congratulations to Bahrain on their victory. We delivered an excellent first-half performance but lost focus during two critical minutes in the second half, which allowed Bahrain to capitalise on their win,” he said. Al Saadi extended a heartfelt apology to fans, particularly those who travelled to Kuwait and those supporting from Oman. “We promise to come back stronger in the Fifa qualifiers. The Gulf Cup is now behind us, and we will take all the positives forward as we aim for success in the 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifiers,” he added. Oman’s prolific striker, Essam al Subhi, who scored three goals during the tournament, expressed his disappointment at not clinching the title. “I personally apologise to all our loyal fans for the result. It’s tough to lead for most of the game and then concede two goals in such a short span,” he said. Commenting on his competition for the top scorer award, Al Subhi remarked, “My primary goal was to help the team win the title. Personal accolades come second. I am proud of our team’s effort, and we are determined to make a strong comeback in the Fifa qualifiers.” Despite the heartbreak, the Red Warriors remain committed to using the Gulf Cup as a stepping stone for their future campaigns. Their focus now shifts to the World Cup qualifiers, where they aim to make a strong impression and achieve their ultimate goal of reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup.