Bahrain Crowned Gulf Cup Champions After Dramatic Win Over Oman

Bahrain 2-1 Oman
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City

Bahrain captured their second Gulf Cup title yesterday in a dramatic final at Kuwait's Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, edging past Oman 2-1 in a match filled with tension, drama, and a touch of fortune.
Oman struck first in the 17th minute when Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri headed Ali Al-Busaidi’s pinpoint cross into the bottom corner. The early lead energized Oman, while Bahrain struggled to find rhythm in the first half. The first 45 minutes ended with Oman in control, leading 1-0.

The game turned in the second half. Mohamed Marhoon brought Bahrain back into contention in the 78th minute, converting a penalty after a foul inside the box. Moments later, disaster struck for Oman as their captain Mohammed Al Musalami inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous cross from Marhoon.
Marhoon’s magic earned him the Man of the Match award, and he also capped off the tournament as joint topscorer.
Despite Oman’s spirited efforts in the final minutes, Bahrain’s defense, marshaled by Waleed Al-Hayyam, held firm to secure a famous win.

The win marks Bahrain’s first Gulf Cup success since 2019 and a fitting conclusion to their campaign, which saw resilience and unity under manager Dragan Talajic.

Match Highlights
17': Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri (Oman) scores with a header.
78': Mohamed Marhoon (Bahrain) equalizes from the penalty spot.
80': Mohammed Al Musalami (Oman) scores an own goal.

Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the match, Bahrain's manager, Dragan Talajic, praised his team's fighting spirit:
"We showed the heart of champions today. This was a battle, and my players gave everything"
For Oman, manager Rashid Jaber expressed his disappointment but lauded his team’s efforts:
"It’s painful to lose like this, but I’m proud of my players. They fought hard, and we’ll come back stronger."

Road to Glory

Wins over Kuwait, Iraq, and a stunning comeback against Saudi Arabia set the tone for their campaign. Meanwhile, Oman overcame a resilient Saudi side in the semifinals after topping their group with consistency.
For Bahrain, the Gulf Cup returns home once again, as their fans and players celebrate a well-deserved victory.