It was a night of high drama and eventual heartbreak for the UAE and their thousands of travelling fans in the 23rd Gulf Cup final in Kuwait last night.
The UAE saw a 89th-minute penalty from Omar Abdul Rahman saved by Oman goalkeeper Faiyz Al Rashidi before Oman eventually won 5-4 on spot-kicks after the game finished 0-0 after extra-time, with Al Rashidi again saving from Abdul Rahman.
In front of a packed crowd at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, Alberto Zaccheroni’s men seemed to have weathered an early Omani onslaught as the men in red powered forward in search of an early goal.
Al Jazira striker Ali Mabkhout had the fans’ hearts in their mouths just before the half-hour when he fired just over the Omani crossbar, and then star player Omar Abdul Rahman also went close for the UAE.
With a passionate crowd roaring on their favourites, things settled into a midfield scrap with some heavy tackles flying in and an energetic opening taking its toll.
The second half started much as the first with Oman pushing forward before Abdul Rahman headed just wide of the post on 50 minutes.
Khalid Eisa came the UAE’s rescue when he made a great save at his near post when Oman looked likely to score.
Jameel Al Yahmadi shot just wide of Eisa’s goal on the hour mark as the UAE crowd became edgier.
Then came the late drama as Abdul Rahman’s spot-kick was saved by Al Rashidi, low to his right, after Mohammed Al Musalami was penalised for fouling Mabkhout in the area.
You could feel the tension grow in the crowd grow during extra-time as the match headed to a penalty shooutout.
And it was the Omanis cheering as their hero Al Rashidi got a hand to Abdul Rahman’s shot and then Mohsin Al Khaldi scored his penalty to send the Oman fans into raptures as the UAE supporters remained to applaud their team.
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