Saudi Arabia aim to end 23-year final hoodoo against UAE in Gulf Cup 27

Saudi Arabia will attempt to end a sequence of five final defeats when they face United Arab Emirates in the Gulf Cup 27 final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The Green secured their place in the deciding match by beating Qatar on penalties in Saturday’s semi-final. The game finished goalless after both normal time and extra time before Saudi Arabia prevailed in the shootout.

Their reward is a final against United Arab Emirates, who have impressed during the current edition of the Gulf Cup. Saudi Arabia are seeking their first major title in 23 years, having last won the Gulf Cup itself in 2003.

Since that triumph, the Green have reached five finals in the AFC Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup but have lost every one of them. Their run of disappointment began at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, when they were considered strong favourites to lift the trophy.

Instead, Saudi Arabia suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat by Iraq in the final.

The team’s next four final losses all came in the Gulf Cup. At Gulf Cup 19 in 2009, Saudi Arabia were beaten by Oman on penalties after the final could not be settled in normal time.

Two years later, at Gulf Cup 20 in 2011, they again fell short. Kuwait won 1-0 after extra time to claim the title.

Saudi Arabia returned to the final at Gulf Cup 22 in 2014, but Qatar secured a 2-1 victory during normal time.

The most recent setback came at Gulf Cup 24 in 2019, when Bahrain defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0.

That record leaves the Green facing another difficult test as they prepare to meet United Arab Emirates in Gulf Cup 27. A victory would not only bring the tournament title but also end a run that has seen Saudi Arabia lose five successive finals since their last championship success in 2003.