UAE national team thrash Bahrain and reach Gulf Cup semi-finals — The National

The United Arab Emirates national team defeated Bahrain 3-0 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a Gulf Cup group-stage match and secured a place in the tournament’s semi-finals ahead of schedule. Twenty-five-year-old winger Guilherme Bala, who came on as a substitute in the second half, scored his first goal for the national team.

As The National reports, Bala scored three minutes after coming onto the pitch. His goal was the second of the match and helped the UAE team see out the victory.

Three goals against Bahrain

The UAE national team scored the opening goal after a corner in the first half. The Bahrain players failed to clear the ball, and in the ensuing attack Sharjah forward Ousmane Camara, making his first start, headed home a cross from Yuri Cesar on the right flank.

Before half-time, the UAE team lost Cesar to a leg injury: the player was injured while making a simple pass. The publication notes that he is unlikely to be able to continue in the tournament.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

In the second half, Al-Wasl midfielder Nicolas Gimenez hit the crossbar after a delivery from Marcos Meloni. Bala, who represents Shabab Al-Ahli, later doubled the UAE’s advantage. Ali Saleh set the final score after breaking through a gap in the opponent’s defence and beating goalkeeper Ibrahim Lutfi.

Match against Qatar will determine the group winner

After two rounds, the UAE lead Group B with six points, the same number as Qatar. In the final group-stage match on Wednesday, the teams will determine the winner of the quartet.

For Bala, this match was his first for the UAE national team. He has played football in the Emirates since 2021, when he joined the club after playing in Brazil’s lower divisions.