The story of Saudi Arabia's first Gulf Cup title

The Saudi Arabia national team reminisced about their first Gulf Cup title ahead of the start of 'Gulf 27' in Jeddah, relying on a long history that began with their participation in the first edition in Bahrain in 1970.

The Green Falcons have claimed the Gulf Cup title three times, having won their first title in the United Arab Emirates in 1994, then crowned in Al Riyadh in 2002, before securing their third title in Kuwait in 2003.

The Gulf 12 holds a special place in the history of Saudi Arabia, after national coach Mohammed Al Khraishi led the team to win the title, following the historic achievement in the World Cup in the United States in 1994 and qualifying for the Round of 16.

The 1994 edition, held in November, included five teams alongside Saudi Arabia: the host United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait. During this tournament, the Green Falcons had a remarkable journey filled with victories.

The Green began by winning against Oman 2-1, then drew with the United Arab Emirates 1-1, before achieving three consecutive victories against Bahrain 3-1, Qatar 2-1, and Kuwait 2-0. Fawad Anwar and Mahmoud Soufi shared the top scorer title with 4 goals.

Saudi fans are hoping to replicate that achievement in the Gulf Cup 27, with the hope of reclaiming the title that has been absent since the Green Team's third victory in Kuwait in 2003, raising their total to 4 Gulf titles.