Frank Rijkaard is helpless on the touchline as his team is beaten by Iraq Iraq stunned Gulf Cup favourites Saudi Arabia with a 2-0 win in their Group B opener, on Sunday evening. Hakeem Shakir\'s men scored a goal in each half to deservedly beat the green falcons, coached by former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard.
Striker Younes Mahmoud set up Salam Shakir to give Iraq an 18th minute lead. There were chances at both ends, but neither side could capitalise to push ahead. In the second half, Rijkaard\'s men were forced to regret their wastefulness in front of goal, when Osama Hawsawi put through in own net to secure Iraq\'s lead.
In the other Group B encounter, Kuwait proved to be too strong for Yemen, with a commanding 2-0 to join Iraq at the top of the group.
Both of Kuwait’s goals came in the second half. First, Yousef al-Sulaiman gave them a 63rd minute lead, before Bader al-Mutawa made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute.
The matches completed the first round of games at the 21st Gulf Cup, with Iraq\'s result being the early surprise. In the next round on Wednesday, top two Iraq and Kuwait will face each other, with Saudi Arabia hoping to claim their first points against Yemen.
In Group A, leaders United Arab Emirates tackle hosts Bahrain, with Qatar and Oman coming head-to-head on Tuesday.