The United Arab Emirates kicked off their 27th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign in style with a commanding 4-0 victory over Yemen in their opening Group B match. The encounter took place at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, where UAE’s performance marked a promising start under the guidance of their new coach, Zlatko Dalic.
Nicolas Gimenez set the tone for the match by scoring the first goal in the 26th minute. The UAE’s lead was doubled just ten minutes later when Yemen’s defender Nader Sahal inadvertently scored an own goal. Luan Pereira then added a third goal before the halftime whistle, solidifying UAE’s dominance in the first half.
After the break, Gimenez completed his brace, scoring his second goal just six minutes into the second half. This extended UAE’s lead to a comfortable four goals, leaving Yemen unable to respond. Throughout the match, the UAE maintained control with 61 percent possession and 12 shots, while Yemen struggled to make an impact, recording only two attempts without any on target.
Looking ahead, the UAE is set to face Bahrain on September 27 and will conclude their Group B fixtures against Qatar on September 30. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semifinals, with the UAE aspiring to secure their third Gulf Cup title, having previously triumphed in 2007 and 2013.