The third-place match in the 2025 Arab Cup, between the Saudi and Emirati national teams, witnessed an emergency stoppage before the start of the second half, due to the fluctuating weather conditions and heavy rain on the field, which necessitated direct intervention from the refereeing team to assess the situation in order to preserve the safety of the players.
Qatar's Al Kass channel revealed details of the consultations that took place between the match officials and the match observers. The channel's correspondent, reporting from the Khalifa International Stadium, explained that the refereeing team decided to follow a phased protocol for dealing with the weather conditions. The decision began with an initial 15-minute period to assess the improvement in weather conditions and the efficiency of the drainage system, followed by an additional half-hour period.
Field reports indicated that if the bad weather conditions continued and the stadium was not suitable for safely completing the game, a final and decisive deadline of one full hour would be given before a final decision would be made on whether to resume the match or postpone it, in accordance with the tournament regulations governing such emergency situations.
The first half of the thrilling "Gulf derby" ended in a goalless draw, with both teams striving to impose their dominance without finding the net. This match holds particular significance as it will determine the bronze medalist in this edition of the tournament, adding psychological and technical pressure on both teams to conclude their participation with a morale-boosting achievement.
In the course of the tournament, the Saudi national team reached the third-place match after losing 1-0 to Jordan in a closely contested semi-final. Meanwhile, the UAE national team suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against a strong Moroccan side in the same round, making today's match an opportunity to appease their fans and regain their footing.
Matches between Saudi Arabia and the UAE always carry a special significance that transcends mere sporting rivalry. They are considered among the most prominent fixtures in Gulf and Arab football, typically characterized by large crowds and extensive media coverage. This tournament further underscores the development of Qatar's sports infrastructure, as video footage demonstrated the stadium's ability to handle the rain, although the heavy downpour necessitated some caution from the referees.
It is worth noting that the current edition of the Arab Cup in 2025 witnessed high technical levels and many surprises, confirming the development of Arab football and its ability to provide a football product worthy of the followers, while awaiting what the coming hours will bring regarding deciding the third place.
