JEDDAH: The United Arab Emirates, seeking their third Gulf Cup title, will face Saudi Arabia, who are targeting their fourth championship, in the Gulf Cup 27 final on Tuesday.
The UAE last won the title in 2013, while Saudi Arabia have been waiting since 2003 for another Gulf Cup triumph.
The two sides have met 18 times in the Gulf Cup, with Saudi Arabia holding the advantage.
The Green Falcons have won 10 matches, while the UAE have recorded four victories, with the other four encounters ending in draws.
Saudi Arabia have scored 24 goals in these meetings, compared with 13 for the UAE.
Their Gulf Cup rivalry dates back to 1972, when Saudi Arabia defeated the UAE 4-0 in Riyadh.
The UAE secured their first victory over Saudi Arabia in the competition in 1982, winning 1-0 on home soil.
The teams have also met three times in the Gulf Cup semifinals. The UAE won 1-0 in 2007, while Saudi Arabia prevailed 1-0 in 2010 and 3-2 in 2014.
Their meeting in Tuesday's final will be the first time the two sides have faced each other in the Gulf Cup final.
SAUDI ARABIA'S GULF CUP RECORD
Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup three times, in 1994, 2002 and 2003. Their first title came in the UAE in 1994, followed by triumphs on home soil in 2002 and in Kuwait in 2003.
The Green Falcons have finished as runners-up seven times, in 1972, 1974, 1998, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2019. Tuesday's match will be their 11th appearance in the final stage, counting the current final and the earlier editions in which the tournament was decided by a league system.
Saudi Arabia have been eliminated at the group stage four times, in 2004, 2013, 2017 and 2023. They did not participate in the 1990 edition.
UAE's Gulf Cup record
The UAE have won the Gulf Cup twice, in 2007 and 2013. Their first title came on home soil in 2007, when they defeated Oman 1-0 in the final, while their second championship came in Bahrain in 2013.
The UAE have reached the final six times before the current edition, finishing runners-up in 1986, 1988, 1994 and 2017, alongside their two title-winning campaigns. Tuesday's match will be their seventh Gulf Cup final appearance.
The UAE have exited at the group stage five times, in 2004, 2009, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
The final therefore brings together two teams with contrasting but impressive Gulf Cup records: Saudi Arabia are seeking to end a 23-year wait for their fourth title, while the UAE are aiming to claim their third championship and their first since 2013.
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