The Saudi national team won the Arabian Gulf Cup "Gulf 27" title after defeating its UAE counterpart 2-0, in the final match that brought them together on Tuesday evening at Al-Inmaa Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, with the Greens clinching the title after a strong and decisive performance in the first half.
The Saudi national team started the match strongly and only needed 11 minutes to open the scoring, after Hamam Al-Hamam managed to breach the UAE's net, giving the Greens an early advantage in the final.
The Saudi national team did not wait long to extend their lead, as Firas Al-Buraikan succeeded in adding the second goal in the 13th minute, after a series of passes, doubling the Greens' advantage and putting the UAE team under early pressure.
The UAE national team tried to get back into the match and reduce the deficit, but the Saudi defense maintained its solidity, and the first half ended with the Greens leading by two goals to nil, a result that lasted until the final whistle.
In the second half, the UAE national team tried to intensify their attacking pressure to get back into the game, while the Saudi national team relied on defensive organization and maintaining their lead, before the UAE's task became more difficult in stoppage time after Khalid Ibrahim was sent off with a red card in the 90+4 minute.
Match statistics showed a close possession, with a relative advantage for the Saudi national team at 55% compared to 45% for the UAE, while the UAE shot 13 times compared to 9 for the Greens, and each team committed 15 fouls according to the numbers shown in the match details.
With this victory, the Saudi national team clinches the Gulf 27 title and adds the fourth championship to its treasury, after entering the final seeking to regain the title for the first time since 2003-2004, while the UAE national team settled for second place after aspiring to win the championship for the third time in its history.