UAE to face Saudi Arabia in Gulf Cup final; association charters six fan flights
Version 2: Fresh details have been added to the same story: Saudi Arabia's penalty shootout win over Qatar and the final's venue, date and kick-off time at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah are now reported, and the UAE Football Association has announced it will charter six aircraft to fly supporters to the match.
In short
The UAE beat Oman 1-0 in Jeddah to reach the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup and will face hosts Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, October 6. Gulf News reported that Ousmane Camara scored the only goal in the 22nd minute, while The National reported that Nicolas Gimenez had a second-half penalty saved. The UAE Football Association is chartering six aircraft to take fans to the final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah.
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The UAE reached the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) by beating Oman 1-0 in their semi-final in Jeddah and will face hosts Saudi Arabia in Tuesday's final, according to WAM, The National and Gulf News. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Gulf News reported that Ousmane Camara scored the only goal in the 22nd minute, heading home from close range, and that this was the UAE's first Gulf Cup final since 2018. The National reported that the UAE were comfortably the better side but made hard work of victory, with Nicolas Gimenez seeing a second-half penalty saved, and that two new recruits combined for the goal, with Al Jazira midfielder Mamadou Coulibaly curling in a cross from the left. [ 2 , 4 ]
UAE head coach Zlatko Dalic said his side had achieved its most important objective by reaching the final despite falling short of the performance level he had hoped for. “We did not play our best match and missed some chances, particularly the penalty, but the most important thing for us is qualifying for the final,” he said, according to WAM and The National. “The match did not go as I expected, but my team and my players secured the win, and that is what matters most. I believe we can perform better, improve our style of play and create more chances. Our performance in the final will be better.” [ 1 , 2 ]
Dalic also praised Oman, describing the team as strong and determined and fighting for every ball and every metre on the pitch, WAM reported. On the final, he said Saudi Arabia are a strong team who will play in front of their home fans: “I expect a tough encounter and a stadium packed with supporters. We have great respect for the Saudi team,” he said. [ 1 ]
Saudi Arabia reached the final by beating Qatar 3-2 on penalties after their semi-final finished goalless following 120 minutes, Gulf News reported, with goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais making crucial saves in the shootout and Mukhtar Ali scoring the decisive penalty. The final will be played on Tuesday, October 6, at Alinma Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with kick-off at 10pm UAE time (9pm local Saudi time); The National gave the same venue and kick-off time. Gulf News said the UAE last won the competition in 2013 and Saudi Arabia in 2004, adding that UAE fans can watch on Abu Dhabi Sports, with AD Sports offering coverage on YouTube and X. [ 4 , 8 ]
The UAE Football Association said it will provide six planes to transport UAE fans to the final, WAM reported. The National reported that the association has chartered six aircraft and that supporters can register through a dedicated link made available on Sunday, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to support the national team. [ 6 , 8 ]
The two sides were familiar opponents. The National reported that the UAE had beaten Oman towards the end of last year in a tempestuous play-off in Doha, that Oman's then coach Carlos Queiroz has since left and coached Ghana at the World Cup, and that only five players remained in the UAE line-up from that meeting. Dalic, who was at the World Cup with Croatia, has taken over the UAE, and Shabab Al Ahli winger Guilherme Bala was making his first start for the national team, the outlet said. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The UAE are one match away from their first Gulf Cup title since 2013, and the final puts them against the host nation in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia will have home support. The outcome is mainly of interest to football audiences in the Gulf and to UAE and Saudi national-team followers. The association's decision to charter six flights points to official efforts to fill the stadium with UAE supporters.
Key facts
- The UAE beat Oman 1-0 in the semi-final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Ousmane Camara scored the only goal, in the 22nd minute, heading home from close range, Gulf News reported; The National described a lone strike by Camara. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The National reported that Nicolas Gimenez had a second-half penalty saved. [ 2 ]
- Saudi Arabia beat Qatar 3-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in the other semi-final, Gulf News reported. [ 4 ]
- The final will be played on Tuesday, October 6, at Alinma Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with kick-off at 10pm UAE time. [ 4 , 8 ]
- UAE head coach Zlatko Dalic said the team achieved its main objective by reaching the final despite not playing its best match. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The UAE Football Association said it will provide six planes to transport UAE fans to the final. [ 6 , 8 ]
- Gulf News reported that the UAE last won the Gulf Cup in 2013 and Saudi Arabia in 2004. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The UAE beat Oman 1-0 in the semi-final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The UAE will face Saudi Arabia in the final. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 ]
- Zlatko Dalic is the UAE head coach and said the main objective of reaching the final had been achieved even though the team did not play its best match. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ousmane Camara scored the only goal of the semi-final. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The final will be played at Alinma Stadium, King Abdullah Sports City, in Jeddah, on Tuesday, October 6, with kick-off at 10pm UAE time. [ 4 , 8 ]
- The UAE Football Association is providing six aircraft to take fans to the final. [ 6 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- The identity of the UAE player whose penalty was saved Only The National names Nicolas Gimenez; WAM's account refers to a missed penalty without naming the player, so the detail comes from a single outlet.
- Saudi Arabia's route to the final The shootout score, the saves by goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and Mukhtar Ali's decisive penalty are reported only by Gulf News; no other document covers Saudi Arabia's semi-final.
- The expected attendance at the final The National describes a likely capacity crowd of 60,000, while Gulf News and a second National report say only that a capacity crowd is expected, with no confirmed figure.
- How fans can join the chartered flights Only The National mentions a dedicated registration link and says it was made available on Sunday; WAM's report does not give details on eligibility or booking.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- WAM publishes Dalic's post-match press conference remarks after the UAE's 1-0 semi-final win over Oman. [ 1 ]
- The National publishes its report on the win and the upcoming final against Saudi Arabia. [ 2 ]
- Gulf News publishes the semi-final details, Saudi Arabia's penalty win over Qatar and the final's venue, date and kick-off time. [ 4 ]
- WAM reports that the UAE Football Association will provide six planes to transport UAE fans to the final. [ 6 ]
- The National reports that the association has chartered six flights and opened a registration link for supporters. [ 8 ]
- The final is scheduled to kick off at 9pm local Saudi time (10pm UAE time) on Tuesday, October 6, at Alinma Stadium. [ 4 , 8 ]