Muscat – Two late goals – a penalty and an unfortunate deflection resulting in an own goal – put paid to Oman’s Gulf Cup dreams as Bahrain came back from 1-0 down to win the title at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on Saturday.

Oman were clearly the better team for the most part of the match, taking an early lead through a splendid header from Abdulrahman al Mushaifri and controlling the pace of the game, but a penalty won and converted by Mohamed Marhoon in the 78^th minute and an own goal from captain Mohammed al Maslami in the 80^th took the wind out of Oman’s sails.

Rasheed Jaber’s men started where they left off in the semifinal against Saudi Arabia, full of verve and spirit and Bahrain were forced on the back foot right from the beginning.

Oman’s initial moves were through the left wing where left back Ali Al Busaidi and winger Abdulrahman al Mushaifri beautifully complemented each other.

But in the 13^th minute, Oman survived a big scare when Bahraini striker Mohamed al Romaihi ran down a delightful through ball and got the better of Oman defender Ahmed al Khamisi before crossing it for Mahdi al Humaidan who failed to hit the target.

Two minutes later Bahrain again threatened, this time with a quick long-ranger from Mohamed Marhoon which Al Rushaidi punched out for a corner.

That was Bahrain’s best period in the first half and soon Oman took control. And moments later, in the 17^th minute, they scored from their first corner.

Al Busaidi’s corner from the left, a wickedly dipping left-footer had danger written all over it and al Mushaifri met it with a bullet header that bulged the net leaving Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla rooted to his spot

In the 31^st minute, Oman again attacked through the as Jameel al Yahmadi showed his skills but Bahrain survived at the cost of a corner. A few minutes later Al Mushaifri’s flick off another corner hit the side netting. Al Mushaifri, with his close control and trickery, was too hot to handle for the Bahrain defence while his attacking partners Issam al Sabhi and Jameel al Yahmadi were also proving a handful.

But out of the blue, Oman defenders were caught off guard by a long Marhoon diagonal from the left and Ali Madan’s right-footed volley sailed wide to the relief of Oman camp.

Oman had a great chance to increase their lead at the start of the second half when Mohammed al Maslami’s long ball found Arshad Al Alawi’s run from the deep but Al Mushaifri could not connect the cross.

When Bahrains’s Marhoon threatened in the 64^th minute Thani Al Rushaidi was there, shutting down the danger with a perfect tackle inside the box.

Oman took an early lead through a splendid header from Abdulrahman al Mushaifri but a Mohamed Marhoon in the 78th minute and an own goal from captain Mohammed al Maslami took the wind out of Oman’s sails.

But in the blink of an eye Oman’s fortunes changed and Bahrain got a foothold in the match

Marhoon got the better of Al Rushaidi and surged inside the box where he was fouled by Al Yahmadi  and referee Abdulrahman al Jassim instantly pointed to the spot.

Marhoon picked himself up and send  Al Rushaidi the wrong way from the spot to draw the scores level.

Two minutes later Bahrain took the lead and again Marhoon was in the thick of things. His surging run through the left had the whole of Oman defence back tracking and his cross hit the right boot of Al Maslami and went in, wrongfooting Al Rushaidi.

Oman tried with all their might to come back, but for the first time in the whole tournament they had to finish as second best.