Yemen hit Bahrain for five in extraordinary Gulf Cup comeback

Yemen produced a remarkable turnaround to beat Bahrain 5-2 in the final round of the Gulf Cup 27 group stage, recovering from an early deficit to score four times in a sensational first half.

Both sides had already been eliminated after losing to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in their opening two matches. They were therefore competing for pride, but Bahrain appeared to take control when Ali Al-Doseri found a gap in the Yemen defence and scored in the seventh minute.

The goal unsettled Yemen, but their response was emphatic. In the 18th minute, Nasser Mohammedou Al-Ghawashi ran on to a long pass behind the Bahrain defence, before deceiving Hussein Abdulkarim with a skilful piece of footwork that sent the defender to the ground.

Al-Ghawashi then fired past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1. He celebrated in front of the Yemen fans with Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark “Siuuu” celebration, a moment that sparked his side’s remarkable recovery.

Yemen soon began to dictate the match with their pace. Their pressure was rewarded in the 31st minute when captain Abdulwasea Al-Matari collected the ball inside the area and struck a precise finish to put his side ahead for the first time.

Bahrain’s composure deteriorated after the second goal, and Yemen took full advantage. A well-constructed attack from midfield created an opening for Rami Al-Wasmani, who made no mistake in the 40th minute to extend the lead to 3-1.

The first-half rout was completed shortly before the interval. Bahrain failed to clear a crowded penalty area and Adel Abbas Qasim drove the loose ball into the net in the 44th minute, giving Yemen a 4-1 advantage at half-time.

Bahrain attempted to revive the contest after the break and reduced the deficit in the 67th minute. Ali Jafar Madan finished a well-organised attack after Yemen left space behind their defence, bringing the score to 4-2 and placing renewed pressure on their opponents.

Yemen had dominated for long periods, but Bahrain’s second goal gave them hope of a late comeback. Those hopes ended in the fifth minute of added time, when Al-Wasmani scored his second goal of the match.

The midfielder finished a swift counter-attack after Yemen exploited space behind the Bahrain defence, sealing a 5-2 victory and completing an historic result for Yemen.

The win lifted Yemen to third in a group also containing Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Bahrain finished fourth and last. It also gave Yemen victory over the holders after a five-goal display in one of the most eventful matches of Gulf Cup 27.