Kuwait city, Kuwait: A well-taken penalty by Akram Afif in the 17th minute ensured Qatar secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the UAE in their opening match of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup on Saturday. The match, held at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, showcased Qatar’s resilience and harmony, particularly as the team featured several new players with limited international experience. The UAE equalized through Yahya Al-Ghassani just before halftime, setting the stage for an intense second half. Despite the draw, Qatar displayed commendable cohesion under new coach Luis Garcia, who was making his debut. The Spaniard's passion was evident, earning him a yellow card in the second half. Akram Afif’s first-half penalty ensured Qatar shared the spoils with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening match of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup on Saturday. The game, played at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw after Yahya Al-Ghassani netted an equalizer for the UAE just before halftime. This marked a fresh chapter for Qatar under new head coach Luis Garcia, who navigated his first game in charge. Despite the team undergoing a transitional phase with several new players lacking significant international experience, they showcased impressive cohesion and determination. Midfielder Tareq Salman reflected on the team’s performance, saying, “It was a tough match, but thank God, we managed a good result. We had opportunities to score more goals, and I believe we dominated the game.”Qatar’s spirited performance was buoyed by a sizable contingent of traveling fans, who filled the stadium with unwavering support. Afif, who only arrived in Kuwait less than 24 hours before the game, was instrumental, notching a well-taken penalty in the 17th minute and orchestrating numerous attacking threats throughout the match. Afif, Qatar’s talisman and Asian Cup hero, was in fine form, arriving in Kuwait less than 24 hours before kick-off. His composure and creativity were pivotal for Qatar, offering glimpses of their potential throughout the match. The team’s resilience was notable as they bounced back from a challenging World Cup qualification campaign. Speaking after the game, midfielder Tareq Salman highlighted Qatar’s dominance and their ability to create scoring opportunities. "It was a fighting match for us. Thank God, we managed a good result. We had chances to score more goals,” he said. While Qatar failed to capitalize on further opportunities, the draw underlined their ability to compete against tough opponents, and their harmony on the pitch promises better results in the tournament ahead. Elsewhere in the tournament, hosts Kuwait and Oman also played out a thrilling 1-1 draw. The 26th Arabian Gulf Cup opened with excitement as both matches highlighted the competitive spirit of the tournament.