The United Arab Emirates kicked off their 27th Arabian Gulf Cup campaign with a dominant 4-0 win against Yemen in their opening Group B match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. The victory was marked by an impressive performance under new coach Zlatko Dalic.
Nicolas Gimenez set the tone for the match by scoring the opening goal in the 26th minute. The lead was extended ten minutes later when Yemen’s defender Nader Sahal inadvertently scored an own goal. The UAE maintained their momentum, with Luan Pereira netting a third goal before the end of the first half.
Gimenez continued to shine, completing his brace just six minutes into the second half, securing a comfortable four-goal advantage for the UAE. The team dominated possession with 61 percent and managed a total of 12 shots, while Yemen struggled with only two attempts and none on target.
The UAE’s next challenge in Group B will be against Bahrain on September 27, followed by a match against Qatar on September 30. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semifinals. The UAE is aiming for their third Gulf Cup title, having won previously in 2007 and 2013.