JEDDAH, 2 January 2004 — Saudi Arabia cleared a tough hurdle in Bahrain to vault to the top of the 16th Gulf Cup Soccer Championships with a tally of seven points, leaving their opponents in third spot with four points. The solitary goal victory for the Saudis in the end proved the difference as they dislodged Oman (5 points) from the top to the second rung yesterday.

Later, hosts Kuwait found their scoring boots in Kuwait City when they trounced Yemen 4-0 in a match between winless teams.

Both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain entered the match with four points each, and both knew a win yesterday would make all the difference in their campaign here. And as it turned out, Saudi Arabia loped out in the front with yet another clinical display.

A new-look Saudi Arabia with four players, Ibraheem Suwaeed, Al-Qahtani, Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi and Manaf Abu Shgeer taking the field, provided the incisive edge to the attack that was lacking in the previous match. Also the shift in the pattern of the moves caused some confusion in the Bahraini ranks and this allowed the Saudis to take charge.

Bahrain marked Al-Qahtani and Yosri Al-Basha from the start in a bid to stop the Saudis from going ahead. But the Saudis almost scored in the first ten seconds when Ahmad Al-Dokhi’s long ball was first-timed by Al-Qahtani, whose shot shook the far upright and also the Bahraini side.

Bahrain, however, showed quickness on the counters and did not allow the Saudis a free run in the period. With the Saudi ace Muhammad Nur shackled by the Bahraini defense and the Bahrainis using both the wings to good effect the match was evenly-poised as the teams went to the break tied goalless.

Saudi Arabia came on strong in the second half and except for a host of close shaves by the Bahraini citadel the scoreline would have been quite different. Ironically it was the Saudi goal that was threatened first in the half when a Talal Yousif strike in the 57th minute sailed tantalizingly over the bar.

Saudi Arabia responded in the 65th minute when Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi’s cross found Reda Tukar, whose header to soared over the Bahraini goal. And when the Saudis did manage to get the ball into the back of the net, the referee came to Bahrain’s rescue by disallowing the goal. In the 67th minute a spectacular reverse shot from Yaser Al-Qahtani bulged the net only for the referee to rule it not a goal due to dangerous play.

But the Saudis were not to be denied for five minutes later Ibraheem Suwaeed’s rising shot went over the Bahraini goalkeeper and into the net. Suwaeed had earlier collected a nice cross from Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi before effecting the winner. Nur almost scored in the 84th minute but friterred away the opportunity and in the next minute Yasir Al-Qahtani too lacked finesse in marksmenship.

In the second match, Kuwait found their feet against minnows Yemen midway through the first half and from then on went on a romp. The first goal came in the 33rd minute when a Nuhaier Al-Shamari corner was headed home by Abdulkodoos. Five minutes later Kuwait converted a penalty to make it 2-0. Bashar Abdullah, who stepped up to take the shot, was on target.

Kuwait added their third goal in the 62nd minute through Badr Al-Mutawa, who was prompted ahead by Abdulkodoos. Kuwait continued to dominate the game and Khalaf Salama scored the fourth goal in the 85th minute to emphasize that.

Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup

In Prince Faisal ibn Fahd championship, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittifaq, along with Al-Shabab and Al-Taie qualified for the semifinal. Hilal qualified despite losing to Ittihad 2-1 at Prince Faisal ibn Fahd stadium in Riyadh. Hilal went ahead on goal difference.

Ittihad needed to win by a 3-1 to qualify but they couldn’t get that one extra goal. Ittifaq qualified after winning against Al-Nasr 1-0 in a match played in Dammam. Shabab went ahead after winning against Al-Ahli 2-1 in a matched played in Jeddah while Taie beat Al-Qadisiya 1-0 to clinch their slot. Semifinal matches will be between Taie and Hilal in Hail on Sunday, while Shabab will meet Ittifaq in Dammam on Saturday.

Gral Strike Gives Jubilo Emperor’s Cup Victory

In Tokyo, Rodrigo Gral poached a 72nd-minute winner as Jubilo Iwata beat Cerezo Osaka 1-0 to win the Emperor’s Cup for the first time in 20 years yesterday.

The Brazilian striker was harshly sent off 10 minutes later after receiving his second yellow card but Jubilo held on to win the season-ending tournament for the first time since 1982-83 — their only previous triumph.

Victory was twice as sweet for Jubilo manager Masaaki Yanagishita, who marked his last match in charge on his 44th birthday by leading the club to the one title that had eluded them since the J-League was launched in 1993.