UAE vs Oman: Jeddah Hosts Battle for Khaleeji 27 Final Berth

The United Arab Emirates national football team will face Oman on Saturday at Prince Abdullah bin Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah in the semifinals of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27), with both sides competing for the second berth in the tournament final.

The UAE advanced to the knockout stage after topping Group B with seven points, finishing ahead of Qatar on goal difference following two victories and a 1-1 draw with Qatar.

The Emirati side scored eight goals during the group stage. Nicolás Giménez and Ali Saleh scored twice each, while Luan Pereira, Ousmane Camara and Guilherme Bala contributed one goal apiece. The UAE’s tally also included an own goal.

The UAE is chasing its third Arabian Gulf Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2013.

Oman, meanwhile, reached the semifinals after finishing second in Group A with four points. The team opened its campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iraq, suffered a defeat against Saudi Arabia and then secured a 3-1 victory over Kuwait.

Oman finished level with Iraq on all tie-breaking criteria and eventually advanced to the semifinals through a draw of lots.

Oman’s attacking threat has been led by forward Nasser Al-Rawahi, who scored three goals during the group stage, while Musab Al-Shaqsi scored the team’s other goal.

Like the UAE, Oman is seeking its third Gulf Cup crown, having won the competition in 2009 and 2017.

The Arabian Gulf Cup is one of the region’s major football competitions, bringing together national teams from Gulf countries. The tournament has developed into a prominent regional sporting event since its inaugural edition in 1970, with Khaleeji 27 continuing the decades-old rivalry among Gulf national teams.

Saturday’s encounter in Jeddah will determine which of the two former champions secures the remaining place in the Khaleeji 27 final, with both UAE and Oman now two victories away from a third regional title.