Saudi Arabia to face UAE in Gulf Cup final after historic run

Saudi Arabia and the UAE will put the Gulf Cup title on the line when they meet on Tuesday in the final of the 27th Gulf Cup, a clash between the leaders of Group A and Group B, after both teams reached the final undefeated.

Saudi Arabia advanced to the final after topping Group A with a perfect record of 9 points, then overcame Qatar in the semifinals with a 3-2 win on penalties following a goalless draw after regular and extra time. The UAE finished first in Group B with 7 points and edged Oman 1-0 in the semifinals.

Saudi Arabia is aiming for a fourth Gulf Cup title, which would move them into a tie for second place on the all-time winners’ list alongside Iraq, having previously lifted the trophy in 1994, 2002, and the 2003-2004 edition. The UAE, meanwhile, is seeking a third title after winning in 2007 and 2013, which would equal Saudi Arabia’s tally. Kuwait leads the list with ten titles.

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This is the first time the two sides have met in a Gulf Cup final since the introduction of the group and knockout stage format at the 17th edition in Qatar in 2004. Previously, the tournament was played as a single round-robin league since its inception in 1970. It will be Saudi Arabia’s fourth appearance in the final and the UAE’s third.

Current tournament statistics give the UAE an attacking edge, having scored 10 goals and conceded just once, while Saudi Arabia has netted 6 goals but remains the only team to have kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament up to the final.

Head-to-head records favor Saudi Arabia, who have won 19 times compared to 6 victories for the UAE, with 7 draws in 32 previous meetings across all competitions, according to Transfermarkt. In Gulf Cup matches alone, the teams have faced off 18 times, with Saudi Arabia winning 11, the UAE 3, and 4 draws.

Saudi Arabia also holds the scoring advantage in Gulf Cup encounters, having netted 28 goals to the UAE’s 11 in their meetings.

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The final carries added significance for coaches Giorgos Donis of Saudi Arabia and Zlatko Dalic of the UAE, as both seek their first trophy with their respective teams ahead of the AFC Asian Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host early next year.

Tuesday’s showdown also recalls the 1996 AFC Asian Cup final in the UAE, when the teams played to a goalless draw before Saudi Arabia triumphed on penalties to claim the continental title.