Al Hammami, Al Buraikan fire Saudi Arabia to Gulf crown

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia were crowned Gulf Cup champions for the fourth time after defeating the UAE 2-0 in the Gulf Cup 27 final on Tuesday.
Hammam al Hammami and Firas al Buraikan fired Saudi Arabia to the Gulf Cup title, scoring in the 11th and 13th minutes respectively.
A total of 62,827 fans attended the final at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia made a flying start, taking the lead in the 11th minute when Hamam al Hammami’s powerful effort took a deflection off an UAE defender and found the net.
Firas al Buraikan doubled Saudi Arabia’s lead three minutes later with a powerful left-footed finish after a quick attack.
Saudi Arabia came close to a third in the 16th minute, but Saleh Abu Al Shamat’s powerful effort struck the right post.
The UAE responded and created their best chance of the half in the 29th minute, but Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al Owais made a crucial save.

PENALTY OVERTURNED
The UAE were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute, but the decision was overturned after the referee reviewed the incident on VAR.
Saudi Arabia enjoyed 56 per cent possession compared with 44 per cent for the UAE, while the first half ended without any cards.
Saudi Arabia maintained their defensive organisation after the break, with play largely concentrated in midfield and neither side creating clear chances in the opening stages.
The UAE pushed forward in search of a goal, relying on long balls and crosses, but Saudi Arabia’s defence remained organised and dealt with the threats.
Both coaches made several substitutions as Saudi Arabia focused on controlling possession and slowing down the UAE’s attacks.

Saudi Arabia held on to its 2-0 lead until the final whistle to claim the Gulf Cup 27 title.
The final was officiated by Moroccan referee Jalal Jaid, with Zakaria Brinsi and Mustapha Akarkad as assistant referees. Kuwait’s Abdullah Jamali and Saud al Shammali served as the fourth and fifth officials.
Hamza al Farraq was the VAR referee, assisted by Dutch referee Arwin Blank and Bahrain’s Ismail Habib, while Oman’s Ibrahim al Hosni was appointed as referee assessor.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have now met eight times in the Gulf Cup, with Saudi Arabia winning five, the UAE two and one ending in a draw.
Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup four times, in 1994, 2002, 2003 and 2026, and were runners-up in 1972, 1974, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2019.

They have reached the final 12 times, including the 2026 edition, while exiting at the group stage in 2004, 2013, 2017 and 2023. They did not participate in 1990.
The UAE have won the Gulf Cup twice, in 2007 and 2013, and were runners-up in 1986, 1988, 1994, 2017 and 2026. They have reached the final seven times, including the 2026 edition, and exited at the group stage five times: 2004, 2009, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
And with that, the curtain falls on Gulf Cup 27 in Jeddah. Attention now turns to Iraq, which will host the 28th edition in December 2028, as hopes and ambitions begin anew for another Gulf Cup chapter.