The former goalkeeper coach at Al-Wasl Club, the Iraqi Nemat Abbas, confirmed that the goalkeepers in “Gulf 26” were the distinguishing mark in the tournament, after the distinguished appearance of more than one goalkeeper at the forefront of the competitions, and their remarkable performance that played a decisive role in the teams’ results.
He told Emirates Al-Youm: “The Emirati (Al-Abyad) goalkeeper Khaled Issa appeared in a distinguished manner in the tournament, but he was the victim of defensive errors for the second time in a row, because he also appeared in the “Gulf 25” version in Basra, but the team did not succeed in crossing over. To the semi-finals.”
He explained: “Khaled Issa would have been a candidate for the title of best goalkeeper in the tournament if the national team had been able to continue its journey in the tournament.”
The national team had left the “Gulf 26” tournament in the first round with a loss to Kuwait 1-2, and a draw against Qatar and Oman with the same score 1-1, while the Bahraini team won the title at the expense of its Omani counterpart after winning the final match 2-1, the first to yesterday.
Nemat Abbas added: “The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation’s choice of Bahrain’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Lutfallah, was correct, as he succeeded in leading his country to win the title through successful saves, active participation in building attacks, and direct influence on tactics from the goal line thanks to His directives, but that does not obscure the rights of more than one goalkeeper who excelled in the tournament, including the Emirati (Al-Abyad) goalkeeper Khaled Issa, who was a source of great confidence for the team, and he did not bear responsibility for any goal he received in the tournament. The three matches for the national team.
Regarding the rest of the goalkeepers, he said: “It was a version that distinguished the goalkeepers, with a few exceptions, including the Saudi goalkeepers, Muhammad Al-Owais and Nawaf Al-Aqidi, and the Iraqi Jalal Hassan, who appeared in a way different from what is known about them, while the Yemeni national team goalkeeper, Muhammad Fatah Aman, distinguished himself greatly.” As is the case for Oman’s goalkeepers, Fayez Al-Rashidi and Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini, who were distinguished by their quick reactions and decisive saves, which contributed strongly to Oman’s reaching the final.”
He continued: “The Kuwaiti team did not appear technically in a distinctive way that would qualify it to be among the four best teams in the tournament had it not been for its goalkeeper, Khaled Al-Rashidi, who was able to save many balls that spared (Blue) from losing, especially in its opening confrontation with Oman, as he was leading his team from behind. “With high intelligence.”
Individual award winners in “Khaleeji 26”
Best goalkeeper: Ibrahim Lutfallah (Bahrain).
Best player: Mohammed Marhoon (Bahrain).
Top scorer: Mohammed Marhoon (Bahrain).
Best player voted by fans: Mohammed Dahham (Kuwait).
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