At 1 a.m. on January 5th, Beijing time, the final of the 26th Arab Gulf Cup ended with Bahrain making a thrilling comeback against Oman, winning 2-1 and securing the championship. In just two minutes, they scored twice, turning the tide of the game from a desperate situation to a triumphant one. Witnessing Bahrain's fiery form, the Chinese national football team should be grateful for their narrow 1-0 victory over this formidable opponent in the away match of the top 18 qualifiers.
Historically, both teams have won the championship once, with Oman claiming it in 2009 and Bahrain in 2019. They have faced each other numerous times in the Gulf Cup, with seven encounters since 2007, during which Oman maintained an undefeated record against Bahrain with four wins and three draws.
In this tournament, both teams advanced to the semi-finals as group leaders. In the semi-finals, Oman defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1, while Bahrain eliminated Kuwait 1-0, setting up a final showdown. Regardless of who emerged victorious, the number of cup victories would surpass the other.
The last time these two teams met was in the semi-finals of the previous Gulf Cup, where Oman triumphed 1-0 over Bahrain. Two years later, Oman still held an advantage over Bahrain.
In the first half, both sides engaged in fierce competition, but Oman played more steadily. In the 17th minute, Buseyidi provided an assist, and Mushaifri scored with a header, giving Oman a 1-0 lead that held until halftime.
Returning to the field in the second half, Bahrain intensified their offensive efforts. In the 76th minute, Mahong broke into the penalty area and was tripped, earning a penalty kick. Two minutes later, Mahong successfully converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1 for Bahrain.
In the 80th minute, Agbari broke into the penalty area and made a backheel pass, which was inadvertently deflected into the goal by a defender, allowing Bahrain to take the lead at 2-1.
Within just two minutes, Bahrain turned the game around, transitioning from a 0-1 deficit to a 2-1 lead, a transformation akin to ascending from hell to heaven. The team erupted in celebration, with many substitutes and coaching staff rushing onto the field to embrace each other in jubilation, as if they had already clinched the title.
Ultimately, Bahrain maintained their 2-1 lead until the end of the match, achieving a miraculous comeback victory. This marked their second Arab Gulf Cup championship after six years, maintaining their underdog status to the end.
Bahrain's consecutive victories over strong opponents such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Oman culminated in their championship win, which is not good news for the Chinese national team. As this top 18 qualifier opponent continues to improve in form, it will become increasingly difficult for China to secure a double victory in the final round at home.