Firas Al-Braikan targets Asian Cup success after Saudi Arabia win Gulf Cup

Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al-Braikan said the country’s Gulf Cup triumph was a source of “pride and honour” after helping the team beat United Arab Emirates 2-0 in Tuesday’s final.

The victory secured Saudi Arabia’s first Gulf Cup title since 2003, with Al-Braikan scoring the second goal to complete the win and return the national side to the top of the competition’s podium.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat after the match, Al-Braikan said the players had overcome a challenging tournament.

“What happened is a source of pride and honour,” he said. “All the matches in the tournament were difficult, but we made them easy.”

Saudi Arabia’s success at Gulf Cup 27 has also heightened expectations ahead of the Asian Cup 2027, which will be hosted by the kingdom at the beginning of next year.

“God willing, what is coming will be better,” Al-Braikan added. “We were all aiming to win this tournament, and we still have another tournament ahead of us.”

Al-Braikan was also asked which of his goals in the competition he considered the best. He selected his goal against Oman, although he did not specify whether he meant his first or second goal against the team.

He then identified the most important goal of all as the one that helped Saudi Arabia win the Gulf Cup.

Al-Braikan was named the best player of Gulf Cup 27 after scoring three goals during the tournament.