Bashar Abdullah, Director General of the Public Authority for Sports.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 25: Sports bring joy, and football delivers it in the most captivating way. The sports community was filled with immense joy after Kuwait's 2-1 win over the UAE in the second round of Group One in the "Khaleeji Zain 26". This win pushed its points tally to 4, placing it at the top of the standings. The Omani team followed closely in second place, after defeating Qatar 2-1 in the same group.

The excitement wasn’t just because the team defeated one of the tournament’s top contenders in the preliminary round, nor was it solely because it secured its first win after 10 international matches. The true source of joy lay in the remarkable spirit demonstrated by the players, reaffirming their commitment to their loyal fans with the promise that “a team with history will undoubtedly return.”

To celebrate the victory over the UAE, the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Football Association awarded each player $4,000. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef, Chairman of the Board, personally presented the players with $1,000 each, and the Kuwait Shopping Festival "Ya Hala" contributed a reward of 500 dinars to each player as well.

Bashar Abdullah, Director General of the Public Authority for Sports, congratulated the Kuwaiti team on its important victory over the UAE. He praised the players’ fighting spirit and their ability to secure their first win in the tournament. He said, “This victory against the strong Emirati team should serve as a turning point for the team, marking the start of its return to its rightful place among the Gulf nations.”

Bashar expressed admiration for the performance, particularly its resilience in overcoming a one-goal deficit to win 2-1, which significantly enhanced its chances of progressing to the next round. He hopes for further success in the upcoming match against Qatar on Friday, which could take it to the semi-finals. He added that Kuwait’s team, with its wealth of experience in Gulf Cup participation, has previously clinched the title even when not favored, proving that there are no fixed formulas for determining the champion.

Bashar also emphasized the role of the Gulf Cup in fostering stronger relationships between officials, players, and fans from all nations. Reflecting on his participation in five Gulf Cup tournaments, he noted the lasting friendships formed throughout the years. “The positive impact of the Gulf Cup goes beyond just advancing Gulf football; it strengthens the sense of family and unity among the peoples of the region,” he concluded.

He acknowledged the difficulty of predicting the champion in this edition of the tournament, despite the insights gained from watching the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. “The Gulf Cup champion is born during the tournament,” Bashar said, “and I sincerely hope that this title will belong to the Blues.”