By Sama Marwan,
The semi-finals of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup kick off today, Tuesday, with Oman facing Saudi Arabia at 4:30 PM Cairo time (5:30 PM Saudi time) at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium. The second semi-final, featuring Bahrain and Kuwait, will take place at 7:45 PM.
Oman vs. Saudi Arabia Match Details
- Kick-off: 4:30 PM Cairo time / 5:30 PM Saudi time
- Venue: Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium
- Broadcast Channels (Free):
- AD Sports 1 HD
- Alkass One HD
- Kuwait Sports HD
- Dubai Sports 1 HD
Team Aspirations
Saudi Arabia aims to claim its fourth Gulf Cup title, the first since 2003, while Oman is looking to return to the winners’ podium, having last secured the championship in 2017.
Road to the Semi-Finals
Saudi Arabia:
The Saudi team advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Iraq 3-1 last Saturday in the final group stage match of Group B. This victory, combined with their win against Yemen and an earlier loss to Bahrain, secured Saudi Arabia six points and a place in the knockout stages.
Oman:
Oman topped Group A with five points, achieved through a win against Qatar and draws with Kuwait and the UAE.
Team News and Comments
Oman:
Key players Amjad Abdullah and Salah Al-Yahyai are out due to muscle injuries, as confirmed by head coach Rashid Jaber. Speaking ahead of the match, Jaber said:
“Our team is accustomed to playing under crowd pressure, as demonstrated during the opening game against Kuwait, the host country. The key is focus and giving our best effort during the match.”
Saudi Arabia:
Head coach Hervé Renard praised captain Salem Al-Dossari for his determination to participate throughout the tournament despite not being fully fit. Renard also commended Abdullah Al-Hamdan’s performance in the previous match and highlighted the defensive contributions of Awad Al-Salouli, which enhanced the team’s overall play.
Saudi Arabia will be without Nasser Al-Dossari and Abdullah Al-Maliki due to injuries. However, Marwan Al-Sahfi is ready for the clash, and Renard expressed satisfaction with the team’s attacking performance, having scored eight goals in the group stage.
