Qatar kicked off their Arabian Gulf Cup campaign with a 2-0 win against Bahrain in Jeddah.
The Asian champions were back in action for the first time since their dismal World Cup campaign, with Julen Lopetegui surprisingly still in charge of the team.
It was Qatar’s first victory in more than 11 months, specifically their first since a 2-1 win against the UAE on 14 October 2025 secured World Cup qualification.
Lopetegui again relied heavily on the core of the 2019 and 2023 Asian Cup-winning sides. Almoez Ali returned to the starting line-up, Mahmoud Abu Nada continued in goal. Sultan Al Brake’s impressive league form was rewarded with a place on the left of defence, while Ahmed Al Ganehi earned a deserved start. Assim Madibo also featured, having been cleared to play in the Gulf Cup despite his FIFA suspension following a dangerous tackle at the World Cup.
Almoez should have put Qatar ahead in the sixth minute after Akram Afif nodded the ball into his path from the edge of the box. With only the goalkeeper to beat, his first touch let him down and the chance slipped away.
Qatar continued to press, with Al Brake’s runs down the left providing much of their attacking threat.
Madibo and Ahmed Fathi made some rash challenges in the first half. With Madibo already booked, replacing him after the interval would have reduced the risk of Qatar being left a man down.
Bahrain also found space on the flanks, with Mahdi Al Humaidan failing to connect from close range in the 26th minute. Mohamed Marhoon was a persistent threat down the left, where Ayoub Al Aloui struggled to cope with his skill and pace.
Meanwhile, Afif was short of his best, misplacing passes and repeatedly losing possession when attempting to beat his marker. He still had an opportunity to break the deadlock before half-time, but shot wide from inside the area after good work from Almoez and Fathi.
Al Ganehi offered more down the right after the restart as Qatar looked to take control. Almoez wasted another opening, heading over the bar from close range.
Fathi was booked in the 56th minute for a foul on Al Humaidan. With both central midfielders on yellow, Lopetegui should have made immediate changes.
The breakthrough came five minutes later when Boualem Khoukhi headed in Afif’s inviting free-kick from near the halfway line.
Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Fathi received a second yellow card for a foul on Abbas Al Asfoor.
Bahrain came closest to an equaliser three minutes later. Substitute Vincent Emmanuel’s cross from the right found Al Aswad, whose first-time half-volley flashed inches past Abu Nada’s left-hand post.
Lopetegui opted to protect the lead in the 77th minute, withdrawing Afif for Jassim Jaber. Bahrain enjoyed more possession but lacked cohesion and struggled to turn their pressure into clear chances.
As Bahrain committed more players forward, space opened up for Qatar on the counter-attack. Yusuf Abdurisag should have settled the contest in the final minute of normal time, but shot straight at the goalkeeper after Al Haydos sent him clear.
Al Haydos then won a penalty deep into stoppage time. Collecting the ball near halfway, he beat Al Asfoor and raced towards goal before the Bahrain substitute pulled him down inside the area and was sent off.
Al Haydos made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to seal a crucial win.
In the other Group B match, UAE opened their campaign with a 4-0 victory against Yemen.
Qatar are chasing a fourth Gulf Cup title and their first since lifting the trophy in Saudi Arabia in 2014. They face Yemen next before a tougher test against the UAE in their final group match.
The tournament provides an important test before Qatar defend their Asian Cup title in Saudi Arabia early next year. Another disappointing campaign could leave Lopetegui’s position under serious threat.
Qatar
Mahmud Abunada
Ayoub Al Oui
Pedro Miguel
Boualem Khoukhi
Sultan Al Brake
Homam Elamin 83′
Karim Boudiaf
Edmílson Junior 61′
Assim Madibo
Ahmed Fathi
Ahmed Al Ganehi
Yusuf Abdurisag 61′
Almoez Ali
Hassan Al Haydos 61′
Akram Afif
Jassem Gaber 73′
Bahrain
Ebrahim Lutfalla
Hamad Al-Shamsan
Vincent Emmanuel 46′
Amine Benaddi
Waleed Al Hayam
Abdulla El Khalassy
Sayed Saeed
Mahdi Al Humaidan
Abbas Fadhel Al Asfoor 57′
Ali Madan
Ibrahim Al-Khatal 74′
Kamil Al-Aswad
Sayed Hashim 74′
Mohamed Marhoon
Mohamed Al-Romaihi
Mahdi Abduljabbar 57′
