The 18th Gulf Nations Cup got off to a sizzling start as outsiders Oman beat hosts UAE 2-1 in the opening game and minnows Yemen held Kuwait to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Hosts United Arab Emirates suffered an unexpected defeat amid a capacity home crowd in Zayed Stadium in the capital Abu Dhabi. Fawzi Bashir put Oman ahead with a powerful long-range drive in the 36th minute before setting up teammate Emad Al Hosani five minutes after restart. Ismail Matar pulled one back for the below-par home side in the 63rd minute and Hilal Saied was sent off as the Emirates finished the game with ten men.
UAE coach Bruno Mitsu frustrated Later, underdogs Yemen held nine-time champions Kuwait to register the second surprise of the day. Badr Al-Mutawaa salvaged the draw for Kuwait from a 74th minute penalty kick after Ali Alamqi but Yemen ahead in the 16th minute. The results mean Oman are in charge of Group A with 3 points while Kuwait and Yemen share second spot with 1 point each and UAE trail with no points. Group B, which includes Qatar, Saudi Arabi, Iraq and Bahrain, kicks off on Thursday.