DOHA, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- Bahrain manager Helio Sousa said his squad fully deserve their Arabian Gulf Cup title.
Mohammad Al-Romaihi struck in the second half for his side to lift the football trophy for the first time in the biennial event's 49-year history, edging Saudi Arabia to a 1-0 defeat in the final at Qatar's Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Salman Al-Faraj squandered an opportunity on the penalty spot for the Green Falcons after Salem Al-Dosari was brought down in the box by Mahdi Al-Humaidan. The Saudis had been hoping to clinch a fourth title.
The win was "hard-fought," the Portuguese coach said, and his side played wonderfully and according to plan.
Sousa took charge of the Pearl Divers in March 2018, immediately making an impact, as he led the side to their first-ever West Asian Championship title in Irbil six months later.
Amid his previous spells in charge, he also led Portugal's U-19s to their first-ever UEFA European Championship in 2018. (pick up previous) sss.sd