The United Arab Emirates (UAE) kicked off their 27th Arabian Gulf Cup journey with a dominant 4-0 win against Yemen in the opening Group B match held at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. This emphatic victory marked a promising start for the UAE under the guidance of their new coach, Zlatko Dalic.
Nicolas Gimenez was instrumental in setting the tone for the UAE, opening the scoring in the 26th minute. The lead was doubled just ten minutes later when Yemen’s defender Nader Sahal inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Before the first half concluded, Luan Pereira added a third goal, further extending the UAE’s lead.
Shortly after the break, Gimenez scored again, completing his brace and securing a formidable four-goal advantage. Throughout the match, the UAE maintained control with 61 percent of the possession and managed to take 12 shots on goal. On the other hand, Yemen struggled to mount any significant threat, recording only two attempts, none of which were on target.
Looking ahead, the UAE will play against Bahrain on September 27, followed by a clash with Qatar on September 30 to complete their Group B fixtures. Only the top two teams from the group will progress to the semifinals, as the UAE aims to secure their third Gulf Cup title, having previously won in 2007 and 2013.