The Saudi team’s delegation has arrived, carrying with it high hopes of returning to the Gulf podium again after a long absence from embracing the tournament’s gold. The Saudi team is placed in the second group, which includes the Iraqi team – the defending champion – and the Bahraini and Yemeni teams, as it begins its journey in the tournament this Sunday evening when It faces Bahrain before facing Yemen on December 25, and concludes its matches in the group stage by facing Iraq on the 28th of the same month.
“Al-Akhdar” is searching for the Gulf title that has been absent since 2003, when it won its last title in the Gulf Cup. What is noteworthy is that this version, “Gulf 16,” was held in Kuwait and was the first edition to be held between two years, as it began on December 26, 2003 and ended on January 11, 2004, and that is like the version. The current one is held between two years. The tournament was held at that time with the participation of 7 teams, “Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen,” with a single-round league system, where each team played 6 matches. Al-Akhdar was able to win the championship title after collecting 14 points from 4 wins and two draws without any loss, with a difference of one point from Bahrain, which came in second place. During the tournament, the Saudi team was able to win over the Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, while drawing against Qatar and Kuwait, the hosts. . The Saudi team is the third most successful team in the Gulf Cup, with 3 titles, on par with Qatar, and behind Kuwait (10 titles) and Iraq (4 titles).
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