Sports Figures.. By: Nasser Al-Anzi

Nasser Al-Anzi

With every Gulf Championship, we recall the sporting figures who left their mark in such competitive atmospheres. Among those who captured the attention of both print and electronic media at the time were the late Fahad Al-Ahmad and Prince Faisal bin Fahd, may God have mercy on them. Newspapers competed fiercely to secure the headline featuring either of them. In the 1982 Gulf Cup held in Abu Dhabi, our national team participated with a second-string lineup supplemented by a few star players. The late Fahad Al-Ahmad told the media, “The Blue will return with the trophy,” and indeed, they did, securing their fifth title.

In cinema, the term “box office star” is used, spelled with a shadda on the letter shin. On the football pitch, a box office star is one who breaks the net, possessing the charisma to command presence and the ability to delight the crowds. Following modifications to modern playing styles, the concept of a single dominant star has faded. Goalkeepers now participate in building collective attacks, and coaches prefer keepers who are adept at using their feet before their hands. Since its inception in 1970, the Gulf Cup has produced many former “ticket booth” stars, such as Jasim Yaqoub, Faisal Al-Dakhil, Al-Anbary, Majed Abdullah, Hamad Al-Sultan, Mansour Al-Muftah, Adnan Al-Talyani, Ahmed Radhi, and Ali Al-Habsi.

Gulf Cup 27 enters its fifth day. The Qatari national team is the favorite to advance to the semi-finals in today’s match against Yemen. Meanwhile, the UAE national team stole the spotlight in the first round with a four-goal performance, thanks to the team’s collective play led by their star, Nicolas Jimenez. This early surge boosted the “Whites’” prospects in the race for the title. The UAE national team participated in the 1990 World Cup before winning the Gulf Cup title for the first time in Gulf Cup 18 in 2007, led by the tournament’s star, Ismail Al-Matar.