By our man in Qatar
AL RAYYAN, QATAR- Bahrain delivered a winning finale to their FIFA Arab Cup campaign, dispatching Sudan with a convincing 3-1 victory last night, but it was the stunning, cutting-edge backdrop of the Education City Stadium that truly captured the imagination.
The Group D encounter, which saw both teams already eliminated from the knockout stages, was played out under the spectacular gaze of the stadium affectionately known as the ‘Diamond in the Desert.’ This futuristic, 40,000-seater venue—a key part of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup legacy—provided an architecturally magnificent setting for the final group fixtures.
Education City Stadium, located in Al Rayyan’s vast knowledge hub, is celebrated for its intricate, diamond-like geometric patterns that appear to shift colour with the sun’s movement. Last night, however, it was the red of Bahrain’s shirt that shone brightest on the pristine pitch.
The Sudanese side, the ‘Falcons of Jediane,’ had a flicker of hope before the match, needing a miracle win to advance, but their tournament ended in disappointment on the hallowed ground.
Bahrain took the lead in the first half through Mahdi Abdouljabbar (37′) and, despite a brief fightback which saw Sudan’s Yasir Mozamil (72′) equalise, they finished strongly.
A penalty from Mohamed Alromaihi (79′) and a late strike by Mahdi Alhumaidan (89′) sealed the 3-1 scoreline, confirming Sudan’s exit and ensuring Bahrain ended their journey on a high note in one of the world’s most modern stadiums.
While the result won’t see either team progress, the match will be remembered for its host venue—a dazzling testament to Qatar’s ambition, designed to become a lasting community asset long after the final whistle of the tournament has blown.
