Group A
Saudi Arabia
Hosts with plenty of support in the nation’s capital will
be under pressure to clinch a fourth Gulf Cup title and their first in over a
decade. Realistically one of three sides that will also be expecting a strong run
to the latter stages in the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia have recorded some erratic
results over the past few months including an impressive draw against Uruguay
followed by a miserable draw with Lebanon. Immensely experienced across the
pitch, a high number of their squad gained rave reviews for their performances
for Al-Ittihad and eventual finalists Al-Hilal in this year’s Asian Champions
League.
Key man; Nasser Al-Shamrani – Predatory centre forward,
who has performed emphatically as a penalty box poacher over the past year. At
times temperamental and criticised for sly tactics against opponents.
Qatar
Arguably the most in-form squad at the competition after
impressive victories over Uzbekistan and Asian Cup hosts Australia in the last
month. Organised line-up with flair on the flanks, they are spurred on by
centre forward and skipper Sebastian Soria who has been at the focal point of
much of Qatar’s good work. Crashed out miserably of the group stage last year
but will be one of the favourites to make it all the way to the final this time
around.
Key man; Khalfan Ibrahim – Creative winger who causes
havoc with his technical ability to twist opposing full backs left and right. Asian
player of the year in 2006.
Bahrain
The least successful of the established nations from the
Gulf region. Apart from relative newcomers Yemen, they’re the only nation not
to have won the regional title in their 21 previous appearances. Their form has
drastically picked up in the past year remaining unbeaten since January,
notching up decent draws against Uzbekistan and Qatar. Relatively cautious in
their approach, Bahrain have proved tough in defence but lacking in attack.
Key man; Ismail Abdulatif – One of Bahrain’s greatest
attacking products who has recently moved to the Saudi Pro League. Scorer of
the winning goal that sent Bahrain to their World Cup playoff in 2010.
Yemen
The only side in the Gulf Cup competition not to have
qualified for January’s Asian Cup, Yemen are unsurprisingly considerable
underdogs for glory in Riyadh. Ranked below the likes of Guam and Bangladesh in
recent FIFA World Rankings many will be writing them off causing a stir in the
group stage. Despite losing every Gulf Cup group match last year without
scoring, an upturn in performances since then has seen them push some
established sides in recent friendlies including a narrow 3-2 defeat and draw
against Iraq.
Key man; Ayman Al-Hargi – Raw attacking talent who holds
the hope of the nation’s regional progress. For someone so young, he’s already
been stationed at a number clubs across the Gulf region, most recently in
Bahrain.
Group B
United Arab Emirates
Reigning champions who are piggy backing on the success
of their domestic league in their hope of Gulf Cup retention and decent
progress in January’s Asian Cup. Impressively tight defensively, the Emirati
national side has struggled for goals of late but are starting to produce a
couple of notable young striking talents in the form of Ahmed Ali Mabkhout and
Ahmed Ismail who impressed at the 2012 Olympics. UAE have only won one of their
last seven friendly matches this year, frustratingly drawing four in a row at
the end of the summer.
Key man; Omar Abdulrahman – Technically gifted playmaker
who is imperative to any attacking exploits UAE can garner. Struggling to be
fit to make the competition with a knee injury that kept him out of the October
internationals.
Iraq
One of the youngest squads in the competition, Iraq are
building on their success at the last U20 World Cup which saw them reach the
semi-finals. Their talents stretch across the globe with players playing in
England, Sweden and various West Asian leagues. One of their strongest aspects
is the attacking tandem of youngster Mohannad Abdul-Raheem and veteran Younis
Mahmoud. Mahmoud remains Iraq’s most likely route to goal despite being without
a club for over a year. Troubles in organising friendly competition in the last
year has seen them go 7 months without a victory.
Key man; Ali Adnan – Attack minded left back who rose to
prominence at the Under-20 World Cup before moving to Turkey with Rizespor.
Famed for accurate delivery and direct attempts from dead ball situations.
Oman
After being one of West Asia’s leading lights a few years
back, Oman have struggled in the run up to this competition. Oman’s golden
period in the Gulf Cup came in the last decade where they reached the final
three times in succession and clinched the trophy as hosts in 2009, since then
they’ve struggled to make a real impact in the early stages. Defeats to two
leading lights of World football; Uruguay and Costa Rica in recent months are
hardly disastrous signs, however some have questioned why they haven’t tested
themselves against similar strength sides in their Gulf Cup preparation.
Key man; Ali Al-Habsi – Legendary goalkeeper who had a
short stint in the English Premier League with Wigan Athletic remains the only
prominent overseas based player in the squad. Famed for his exceptional penalty
saving abilities.
Kuwait
Lowly ranked in comparison to their competitors, it would
be foolish to write off the Gulf Cup’s most successful nation with their
domestic game continuing to succeed on the continent. Champions for three years
running, Kuwaiti clubs Al-Kuwait and Al-Qadsia have dominated the AFC Cup scene,
with much of their success being built around players who have broken through
to the national team picture. After excelling for three decades in the Gulf
Cup, Kuwait have only won one of the last seven editions of the competition,
but will be looking to make at least the semi-finals this time around.
Key man; Bader Al-Mutawa – Experienced goal scorer who was instrumental in Al-Qadsia’s AFC Cup triumph this season, often provides his greatest threat drifting in from the flanks.
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