KSAsportz report
DOHA — In a triumphant display of skill and determination, Saudi Arabia’s Olympic team clinched the Gulf Cup Under-23 title on Tuesday, defeating Iraq 2-0 in the final at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar. This victory underscores Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the regional competition.
The Green Falcons secured their win with goals from Rakan Al Ghamdi and Abdulaziz Al Aliewa, who found the net in the 23rd and 49th minutes, respectively. Saudi Arabia maintained control throughout the match, showcasing a disciplined and efficient performance.
Iraq faced a significant setback just before halftime when Haider Abdul Karim was issued a red card in the 44th minute, leaving his team down a player for the remainder of the match and severely limiting their chances for a comeback.
This victory marks Saudi Arabia’s fifth title in the history of the Gulf Cup Under-23 tournament, adding to their previous wins in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016, and now 2025. With this triumph, Saudi Arabia stands as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, boasting a remarkable win rate of 83%. In contrast, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain have each won the title only once.
According to recent statistics, the Saudi squad has outscored their opponents by an impressive margin throughout the tournament, with an average of 2.5 goals per match.