Sayed Mahdi Baqir, the Bahraini national team player, attributed his country’s loss to Qatar with two unanswered goals, in the first round of the Arabian Gulf Cup competitions, “Gulf 27”, to a lack of focus in some moments of the match, indicating that the Bahraini national team still has the opportunity to compensate in the upcoming confrontations.
Speaking to the media after the match, Baqir said: “God destined and did what He wanted. This is not the result we were hoping for.” The match was equal, regardless of the Qatari team scoring two goals from two set pieces. “I think the reason for the loss may be due to a lack of concentration in some moments of the match.”
He added: "This does not mean that we have lost hope. On the contrary, we have an upcoming match in which we will try to compensate, God willing."
Regarding the effect of the weather on the players’ performance, he said: “The atmosphere was humid and tiring for all the players, whether for us or for the Qatari team, but this is not an excuse, and we will try to compensate in the next match.”
Regarding the field, Baqir explained: “The field is good, and I do not see any problem with it, even though I personally did not participate in the match.”
Assem Madbou, the Qatari national team player, confirmed that the commitment of the “Al Annabi” players to the directives of the technical staff and the lack of rush were among the most important factors in the victory over Bahrain with two unanswered goals, in the first round of the Arabian Gulf Cup competitions, “Gulf 27”, despite the numerical deficiency that the team suffered during the match.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat after the confrontation, Madibo said: “The match was difficult, but thank God we were able to remain steadfast and not rush, and this is the most important thing that happened today. Even after the expulsion, the coach’s instructions were clear to maintain our cohesion and rely on counterattacks, and thank God we succeeded in that.”
Regarding the pitch, Madibo said: “Maybe the grass was a little long, but this applies to both teams, not just one team. The organization was excellent, and everything was good.”
The Qatari national team player concluded his speech by offering congratulations to the Saudis on the occasion of National Day.
Algerian Nour El-Din Ould Ali, the coach of the Yemeni national team, confirmed that he bears responsibility for the heavy loss to the UAE, 4-0, on Thursday, in the Arab Gulf Football Cup “Gulf 27”.
The UAE national team achieved a huge 4-0 victory over Yemen in the first round of the second group competitions of the tournament held in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
Nicolas Jimenez opened the scoring for the Emirates in the 26th minute, before Nader Sahl, the Yemeni defender, added the second goal by mistake against his team in the 36th minute. Luan Pereira scored the third goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the first half, before Jimenez returned and scored his second and fourth personal goal for the Emirates in the 51st minute.
Ould Ali said, during the press conference after the match, that the loss was the result of mistakes and negligence on the part of his players, but at the same time he stressed that he bears responsibility.
He explained that he warned the Yemeni team's defenders of the danger of the UAE attackers and the great capabilities they possess. He added: “I apologize to the fans of the Yemeni team for this loss, which was caused by great negligence. "There was mass negligence, and I can take responsibility."
He continued: “We have started talking to the players, but this match will not make me return to what the team was five years ago.”
Ould Ali pointed out the impact of the players’ lack of experience and the instability of the local tournaments on the team’s readiness, saying: “The players did not even complete nine consecutive matches in the league, and this loss should be a lesson for us.”
With this victory, the UAE national team, which won the title in 2007 and 2013, earned the first three points in the group that also includes Bahrain, the defending champion, and Qatar, while Yemen remained without any points.
The UAE national team will meet Bahrain next Sunday, while Yemen will face its Qatari counterpart on the same day in the second round.
The group leader and runner-up qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament, which concludes on October 6th.
