FOOTBALL – BAHRAIN powered past Oman 4-2 last night to claim their first victory of the AGCFF Gulf Cup U-20 2025, currently being played in Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Mahran scored a first-half brace to spearhead the kingdom’s junior men’s football national team in the contest, held at Damac FC Stadium.
Ahmed Almeraisi and Yahya Adel supplied the Bahrainis’ other goals, while goalkeeper Abdulla Abdo made some key saves to help preserve their advantage.
The result kept the nationals’ hopes alive of making it through to the tournament’s semi-finals. They have one more assignment in this stage against Egypt. That is scheduled for Thursday at 4.30pm, Bahrain time, when Iraq and Oman will also face off at another venue. Those fixtures will determine the two sides that will be advancing to the last four from their division.
The Iraqis were 2-0 winners against their Egyptian counterparts in yesterday’s other Group B clash. Iraq secured their second straight win after beating the Bahrainis 1-0 in both teams’ opening fixture, while Egypt suffered their second loss.
Bahrain and Oman are tied on the table with three points apiece, with Bahrain ahead on goal difference and having won their head-to-head.
Group A features Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, and hosts Saudi.
The semis are scheduled for Sunday. The final will then be held on Wednesday next week at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City stadium, scheduled for a 4.30pm kick-off.
The eight-nation competition is being held for the first time under the umbrella of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).
Bahrain took the lead against Oman last night in the ninth minute when an Ali Husain Naser cross from inside the box was headed in by Mahran from close range. Naser played a fine one-two with Almeraisi and then curled in a left-footed assist to a waiting Mahran, who made no mistake with his header.
Oman drew level in the 29th minute when Husam Al Naabi tapped in from the face of goal after Bahrain failed to clear a dangerous pass into the box by Ebrahim Al Shamsi, following an Ali Al Alawi free-kick.
But Oman’s celebrations were short-lived after the Bahrainis went back ahead just two minutes later. Opposing goalkeeper Momin Al Souli failed to collect a low shot by Bahrain’s Khalid Al Khaldi and then Almeraisi was first to the loose ball, which he sent home.
The nationals made it 3-1 in the second minute of first-half stoppage time with some brilliant approach play from Naser, who passed to Mahran who then unleashed a brilliant left-footer from close range.
After the break, Bahrain were then 4-1 up in the 73rd minute. Yahya Adel headed home off a cross into the area delivered by Almeraisi.
Oman got a second goal in the 78th minute when Al Alawi scored from the edge of the area.
Eight minutes before full time, Bahrain were awarded a penalty when Mahran was taken down in the box by Oman’s Al Souli. Mahran stepped forward to take the spot kick himself and complete a sensational hat-trick, but he hit a weak effort and Al Souli took advantage with the save.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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