JEDDAH, 4 January 2004 — Bahrain sustained the pressure on Saudi Arabia in the 16th edition of the Gulf Cup Soccer Championships with a 1-0 victory over Oman in Kuwait City yesterday. Earlier, Qatar made heavy weather of the opportunity to beat a ten-man United Arab Emirates as the two teams settled for a pedantic goalless affair.
But the match between Bahrain and Oman was the key that could have all but settled the eventual destination of the cup. Oman, second before the start of the tie, and Bahrain, third before the kick-off yesterday, had to produce a result to keep the leaders Saudis on their toes. And in a lively encounter, Bahrain proved the wee bit superior on defense and won the day.
The victory also gave them a total of seven points from four matches and put them level with Saudi Arabia at the top rung on points. But Bahrain are ahead on goal difference, with the Saudis having a match in hand.
Oman, following their surprising displays in the earlier encounters, threatened once again to take the match away from Bahrain with a ten-minute burst of sustained attack. But their frenzied attempts to score exposed their middle and the backline, allowing the bemused Bahrainis to come back with some searching counter probes.
And in one such move, in the 12th minute, a long ball through the middle found and unmarked Ahmad Muhammad Salmeen, who raced through the space allowed him into the box. Salmeen with only the Omani keeper to beat, hit home truly.
Though Oman were down by a goal, they pushed forward to draw level at the least. But the Bahraini defense stood its ground with some very stout-hearted defending and this in the end broke the Oman’s heart.
They came close to getting the equalizer in the 22nd minute when Muhammad Juma received a dangerous cross in front of the Bahrain goal, but Juma was slow to react and the threat was quickly cleared by a defender. Ten minuets later in the 33rd minute, Ahmad Mubarak’s header almost put Oman back again in the game but the ball was blocked by Bahrain goalie Abdulrahman.
Bahrain relied on its defense in the second half too, content to soak up the pressure as the Omani attack slowly lost its steam and direction. Two more half-chances came Oman’s way, in the 56th and 64th minutes, but on the first occasion Hashim Saleh was dispossessed and the next, from Naser Zaied, was frittered away with a poor shot with the Bahrain goal at his mercy. The ball soared over the bar and with it too went Oman’s hopes of at least getting a point.
Earlier, in one of the drabbest displays in the event, Qatar and UAE failed to sparkle and this reduced the match to a midfield struggle, sprinkled with little doses of aimless attacks. The Qataris did perk up when UAE’s Muhammad Qasem was ordered out in the 65th minute. But their efforts foundered even against a 10-strong Emirati team. Qatar stay in sixth place with three points while UAE remain in fifth place with four points.
Today, Saudi Arabia will face a tough match against hosts Kuwait. A win for Saudi Arabia will take them one step closer to the trophy. Kuwait need to win to retain an outside chance of making a late run.
Rivaldo Agrees Five-Month, $3 Million Deal With Ittihad
Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo yesterday agreed a $3 million contract to play just five months for Saudi Arabia’s local soccer club team Al-Ittihad, the club chairman Mansour Al-Balawi told AFP in Jeddah.
“We have concluded an agreement with Rivaldo who has accepted our offer. He will play with Al-Ittihad for five months for $3 million ,” said Al-Balawi.
“Rivaldo will sign the contract tomorrow and he will come to Saudi Arabia in the next ten days to start training.”
The 31-year-old midfielder was released by AC Milan after an unsuccessful 17-month spell. He joined the European champions on a free contract, a month after winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti limited him to just 16 Serie A matches, and eight Champions League games last season, when he was only a substitute for the Champions League final against Juventus.
This season Rivaldo made only one substitute appearance in the Champions League and did not play in Serie A.
