8 nations set to battle it out at 25th Arabian Gulf Cup

Basra International Stadium, also known as the Palm Trunk stadium, which hosts the opening ceremony of the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup football championship in Iraq's southern city of Basra.(AFP)
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Updated 06 January 2023
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8 nations set to battle it out at 25th Arabian Gulf Cup

  • Saudi Arabia bringing youthful squad to Basra, hosts Iraq looking for success on and off pitch, and Qatar aiming to put World Cup disappointment behind them

BASRA: Memories of the Qatar World Cup are still very fresh in our minds but, for football fans in the Gulf region at least, it is time to move on as there is another international tournament to be played.

The 25th Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off in Iraq on Friday, with eight national teams competing for the title.

The games will be played at two venues: Basra International Stadium and Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium. The action will begin with the host nation taking on Oman on Jan. 6 and end with final on Jan. 19.

Here are eight talking points, one for each of the competing nations, ahead of the big kick-off.

Group A

Saad Al-Shehri and his young Saudi stars can work their magic again

With the Saudi Professional League pausing for two months so the Green Falcons could prepare for and then compete at the World Cup — sensationally defeating eventual champions Argentina in their second group match — it was always unlikely there would be another break so soon so that clubs could again release their star players.

This might make it less likely that the Kingdom will pick up its first title win since 2004, especially given other teams have named more experienced squads. However, it will give younger and fringe Saudi players a chance to shine.

Turki Al-Ammar, the 2018 Young Asian Footballer of the Year and one of the few squad members previously capped at senior level, had a starring role when the U-23 Saudi squad won the Asian Championships and has the chance to impress once more.

With the coach of that U-23 team, Saad Al-Shehri, taking charge of the senior team during this competition, and looking to cement his growing reputation, the young Saudis will get the tests they need to help them grow when they face Yemen, Oman and hosts Iraq.

Iraq need stability on and off the pitch

Last year was a disappointing one for the Iraqis as they struggled in the final round of World Cup qualification, and a string of coaches have come and gone. Now, though, they have a chance to begin 2023 in style, on and off the pitch.

The first, and until now only, time the country hosted the Gulf Cup was 1979 and their most recent tournament win came nine years later. As this year’s hosts, success off the pitch is as important to Iraq as success on it and both could give football a boost in the country.

With Basra staging the games, and new Spanish coach Jesus Casas calling on players with proven talent and plenty of experience, the expectations are high.

The likes of Hussein Ali, Dhurgam Ismail, Amjad Attwad and Gothenburg midfielder Amir Al-Ammari have what it takes to lead Iraq to the latter stages and deliver some much-needed good news for fans.

Oman can show they belong among region’s top dogs

After Saudi Arabia, Oman were the best-performing Arab team in the final stages of the road to Qatar. They finished just a point behind Australia, who narrowly lost to champions Argentina in the second round of the World Cup.

Had the Reds been in the other group at the Gulf Cup last time, they might well have gone all the way. Now they are in Group A, Branko Ivankovic’s men are among the favorites, not least because they won the tournament the time before last.

Like his counterpart in charge of Iraq, the wily Croatian coach has named a strong, experienced squad, and there is no better time to show that Oman’s results during the World Cup qualifiers were no fluke.

Energetic Yemen look for their first-ever win

The Eagles are preparing for their 10th appearance at the Gulf Cup still in search of their first-ever victory in the competition. It will not be easy for a team that has not played a game since the first half of 2022.

Proper preparations are also difficult in a country that has been devastated by war for years. A training camp in Saudi Arabia has helped their situation and the squad has also spent time in Egypt.

Coach Miroslav Soukup has spent years in the region and is now in his second spell in charge of Yemen. He has gone for the power of youth, with half of the squad 25 or under, so it should be a great experience for the players — and if they can get that elusive win, so much the better.

Group B

Qatar need to start new era on a high

Everyone is aware that the World Cup was a disaster for the host nation, with three defeats in three games. There was a feeling that coach Felix Sanchez had perhaps kept faith too long with the team that won the 2019 Asian Cup, and there was a general expectation that the Spaniard would not be kept on when his contract expired at the end of 2022 — and so it was to be.

The pressure at the World Cup was all too much for Qatar but now, temporarily at least, the man with the responsibility for bouncing back is Portuguese tactician Bruno Pinheiro. He is without the services of such stalwarts as Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, among several others. This leaves opportunities for new blood to restore some pride to Qatari football.

UAE sets off on the road to 2026

The UAE had to watch the World Cup in Qatar, with all its surprises and shocks, from the sidelines in the knowledge that they could have been there, had they not narrowly lost in the play-offs to Australia.

While it is certainly true that they could have been there, whether or not they should is a different matter because, in truth, they were poor throughout the qualification campaign.

Now coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has had a little time to work with his team, there is a need for a long-term vision, given that more than eight Asian teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The likes of Ali Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman, stars of the so-called Emirati “golden generation” of the previous decade, are out but there is still ample talent to be found in the squad.

Group B is shaping up to be competitive but winnable — and with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and even Oman eclipsing the UAE on the pitch in recent years, there is some pressure on the Emiratis to succeed in Basra. Ultimately, though, a first World Cup appearance since 1990 remains the main prize they seek.

Kuwait must bounce back from poor year

Kuwait have won 10 out of the previous 24 Gulf Cups but in recent years this former powerhouse of football in Asia — the whole continent, not just the west — have fallen behind teams they used to routinely defeat.

The failure to qualify for the World Cup was expected but not making the 2023 Asian Cup was really disappointing, in particular their loss at home to a young Indonesian team.

That led to Rui Bento taking the reins, which means there are three Portuguese coaches in charge of teams in Group B.

There will be no Bader Al-Mutawa — the 37-year-old talisman who is the most-capped international player in history with 196 caps (a total matched by Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup) — and so the Blues need to move on from his era but are still looking for a new identity.

Bento has gone for youth in his squad and there is a sense that this is the beginning of a new journey for Kuwait.

Reigning champs Bahrain look to defend their title

Bahrain might not have the glittering football history of Kuwait but they do arrive in Iraq as defending champions. Their 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the 2019 final will never be forgotten — and it should also be remembered that they reached the last 16 of the Asian Cup that same year, when they were narrowly defeated by South Korea. After a disappointing spell, things were looking up for them.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic and all that momentum was lost. Coach Helio Sousa has been in charge for almost four years and, despite a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign, the team is settled, full of experience and more inventive on the ball than many of their neighbors.

After showing on previous occasions that they are capable of upsetting bigger nations at this tournament, Bahrain cannot be counted out this time around.


UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

Updated 58 min 41 sec ago
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UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024

  • “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
  • The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal

NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.


Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

Updated 14 November 2024
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Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says

  • A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
  • The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year

TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.


Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia

Updated 14 November 2024
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Saudi goal disallowed in scoreless draw with Australia

  • Green Falcons thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box
  • Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball, but VAR showed the infringement was outside the box

MELBOURNE: Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in added time in a scoreless draw with Australia, a result that did neither side any favors in their bid to qualify for World Cup 2026.
Despite several chances in front of a sold out AAMI Park in Melbourne, the breakthrough both teams desperately needed never came.
The Saudis and their new French coach Herve Renard thought they had won in the 93rd minute when Sultan Al-Ghannam rifled home from just inside the box.
But the flag went up, with one of his teammates offside.
“We had some good opportunities but we have to go give our opponent credit. First half we didn’t play very well,” said Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“We were not very good with the ball while they were sharp and energetic.
“We improved significantly in the second half, which is good,” he added.
“Overall, it’s a point and we move forward but certainly we can improve.”
The stalemate played into the hands of Group C leaders Japan and opened the door for Bahrain to leapfrog them as Asian qualifying reached the halfway mark.
Australia and the Saudis both have six points, four behind table-toppers Japan who can stretch their lead further when they meet Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Bahrain, on five points, host China later in Riffa and will move into second spot if they win.
Just the top two seal their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with third and fourth forced into another round of Asian qualifying.
Australia must now lift themselves for a difficult trip to Bahrain next week, while Saudi Arabia travel to Indonesia.
Popovic made just one change from the team that drew with Japan in Saitama last month with Standard Liege midfielder Aiden O’Neill in for Luke Brattan.
Renard, who was appointed a fortnight ago in place of Roberto Mancini, swung the axe with just four survivors from their last match, a goalless draw with Bahrain.
Both sides started at a frenetic pace and in a big moment on 12 minutes the referee awarded Australia a penalty after Mitch Duke clashed heads with goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar who came out to clear the ball.
But VAR showed the infringement was outside the box.
The first decent effort did not come until the 27th minute when Saudi midfielder Nasser Al-Dawsari whipped in a shot from a tight angle. Goalkeeper Joe Gauci saved at the near post.
Gauci made another crucial stop on the cusp of half-time, charging off his line to pluck the ball off the feet of Feras Albrikan in a one-on-one situation.
Australia had the brighter second half, creating far more chances with Riley McGree and Duke whipping in shots that were blocked.
They had a glorious opportunity with seven minutes left when substitute Brandon Borrello beat the offside trap.
But instead of shooting he opted to pass and the chance was wasted, before the last-minute drama with the disallowed goal.


Maxwell’s power-hitting and Australia pace flatten Pakistan in a rain-shortened T20

Updated 14 November 2024
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Maxwell’s power-hitting and Australia pace flatten Pakistan in a rain-shortened T20

  • Match started after a three-hour delay and was shortened to seven over per side
  • Pakistan made 64-9 in response to Australia’s 93-4, losing five wicket in first 15 balls

BRISBANE: Glenn Maxwell’s robust 43 off 19 balls helped Australia thump Pakistan by 29 runs in a rain-shortened first Twenty20 on Thursday.
After a nearly three-hour delay due to lightning and rain, the match was shortened to seven overs per side.
Maxwell powered Australia to 93-4 and Pakistan reached only 64-9 after slumping to 16-5 inside the first 15 balls.
Nathan Ellis (3-9) and Xavier Bartlett (3-13) ran through the top order before No. 8 batter Abbas Afridi’s unbeaten 20.
“Certainly had a lot of fun out there,” Maxwell said. “We thought we had enough on the board … the bowlers did a great job. There was a few of us who had packed our bags expecting the game to be called off, so it was a mad rush to get ready.”

Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Usman Khan (left), celebrate the dismissal of Australia’s Matt Short during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

Maxwell followed scores of 0, 16, 0 in the preceding one-day international series won by Pakistan 2-1 by smacking three sixes and five boundaries. He played some extravagant lap shots to third man against the pace of Haris Rauf (1-21) and Naseem Shah (1-37).
Maxwell fell in the penultimate over when he hooked Abbas Afridi (2-9) to backward square leg but Marcus Stoinis provided a final flourish with an unbeaten 21 off seven balls. Stoinis smashed 20 runs in Shah’s last over with two fours and six.
None of the top six Pakistan batters reached double figures.
Sahibzada Farhan hit Spencer Johnson for two successive boundaries off the first two balls he faced before mistiming a pull shot off the fourth ball and holing out at midwicket.
Mohammad Rizwan, in his first match as the Pakistan skipper, fell to the first ball when he top-edged Bartlett to point. Usman Khan was caught at third man in the same over.
Ellis struck twice in his first over when Babar Azam was caught in the deep and Jake Fraser-McGurk snapped his third catch as Irfan Khan also offered a tame catch at deep midwicket.
Pakistan was 24-6 in the fourth over when Salman Ali Agha scored only 4 in his debut T20, guiding a sharp, short Bartlett delivery to Australia first-time captain Josh Inglis on the run.

Pakistan’s Abbas Afridi bats during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa clean-bowled Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah off successive balls in the last over to complete the rout.
“It was difficult to keep things normal in a seven-over game,” Rizwan said. “Got to give credit to Maxy, his style worked really well.”

Australia’s Adam Zampa, right, celebrates with teammates after defeating Pakistan during the T20 cricket international between Pakistan and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, on November 14, 2024. (AP)

The second T20 is in Sydney on Saturday, and the last in Hobart on Monday.


ICC Champions Trophy promo confirms Pakistan as host

Updated 14 November 2024
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ICC Champions Trophy promo confirms Pakistan as host

  • The video comes days after the ICC informed Pakistan that India had declined to play in the country
  • Pakistan has said it is not interested in a hybrid hosting model adopted during last year’s Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council’s promotional video for the Champions Trophy 2025 has portrayed Pakistan as the tournament host, with the global governing body for cricket promising a “thrilling competition” in a statement released on Wednesday.
The video comes just days after the ICC informed Pakistan that India had declined to play tournament matches in the country, prompting Pakistani authorities to rule out the hybrid hosting model adopted last year for the Asia Cup, where India played all its matches in Sri Lanka.
Political tensions between the two countries have led the Indian team to avoid traveling to Pakistan since 2008, with both sides only competing in multination tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
The ICC has not directly commented on the situation, though the promotional video clearly showed visuals communicating that the tournament will be arranged in Pakistan.
It promo displayed an unconventional logo, which the ICC said was designed to be “bold, loud, confident, and fun,” saying the visual identity was digital-first while calling it a dynamic, typographic logo.
“The two weeks of thrilling competition the event is renowned for is reflected in the bold and loud edge to the brand,” ICC Chief Commercial Officer Anurag Dahiya said in a statement. “The new elements are accompanied by the distinctive white jackets which nod to the history of the Champions Trophy and its unique, global appeal.”
The men’s Champions Trophy is set to return in 2025 after about eight years, with Pakistan clinching the title in the 2017 final against India.
The tournament was last held in England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi that are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games scheduled to be held between February 19 and March 9.