Coach Noureddine Ould Ali of the Yemen national football team refrained from using a conventional excuse following his team’s 1-0 defeat to Qatar in the Gulf Cup on Saturday, despite a missed penalty call in their favor. This loss eliminated Yemen from the eight-team regional tournament currently held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, even though they still have one group stage match left to play.
There are various aspects that Ould Ali could point to regarding the setback against a team that participated in the recent World Cup. Qatar boasts advanced infrastructures like the Aspire Academy, state-of-the-art stadiums, and is led by former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui. In contrast, Yemen lacks such resources and has not hosted a home match since 2012, when they secured a 2-1 victory over Palestine in Sanaa.
In 2014, the capital city fell under the control of the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant organization, leading to a Saudi-led intervention and ongoing conflict. Although a truce brokered by the United Nations in 2022 reduced violence temporarily, tensions have recently escalated. In early September, the Houthis launched a significant military campaign along the Red Sea coast, targeting Riyadh and other locations in Saudi Arabia with missile strikes.
During this tumultuous period, the Yemeni national team trained in Aden, a port city that serves as the base for Yemen’s internationally recognized, Saudi-supported presidential leadership council. Ould Ali stated, “The situation in Aden was manageable; we did our best during a training camp with local players before joining the rest of the squad in Jeddah.”
He acknowledged the political instability, noting, “In football, we must remain vigilant about external factors, but we aim to concentrate on the game and improve. Our experience in Saudi Arabia has been positive; the hospitality has been warm, and the training facilities and accommodations are excellent, allowing us to focus on football.”
The team faced a harsh awakening when they lost 4-0 to the United Arab Emirates in their opening match. The UAE’s roster includes numerous naturalized players, and they benefit from experienced coaches, such as Andrés Iniesta, working in their domestic league. Yemen’s local league has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, but they managed to triumph over Bahrain with a score of 5-2 in their final group match.
Ould Ali remarked on the importance of the local league’s revival, stating, “The league halted for a significant time but resumed this year, completing the first half of the season. It’s crucial for players to have match experience, maintain fitness, and showcase their abilities. Football holds a special place in the hearts of the Yemeni people; they passionately support the national team and its players.”
Most players still reside in Yemen, and prior to the current Gulf Cup, Yemen was the only participating team that had never won any of the previous 26 tournaments or advanced beyond the group stage.
Maintaining focus on football while in Saudi Arabia is challenging for the players, as Ould Ali noted, “They are concerned about the situation in their country and worry for their families. This is a natural response, but I encourage them to concentrate on the matches. I have personal experience navigating geopolitical complexities in the region.”
Ould Ali previously managed the Palestine national team from 2018 to 2021, after serving as an assistant coach for over four years. He is no stranger to instability. “Every situation is unique. The conflict in Yemen is between its people, not influenced by external nations. Coaching Palestine was particularly challenging; I would often be delayed for hours by Israeli soldiers just to get to work. The players faced restrictions, especially when traveling abroad. Working with the Palestine team was rewarding, despite the difficulties not stemming from their actions.”
A potential reunion with Palestine could occur at the 2027 Asian Cup, which will also be hosted in Saudi Arabia. Yemen achieved a surprising victory over Lebanon in June, becoming the last team to qualify for the tournament. “That was a significant moment for Yemeni football, and we hope to bring joy to our people back home, which is our ultimate goal,” Ould Ali stated.
Yemen will return to Jeddah in January for their opening match against South Korea, featuring stars like Lee Kang-in from Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae, and Son Heung-min. This will certainly present a higher level of competition compared to the Gulf Cup, and fans in Yemen will be closely watching. “Once again, we aim to make our country proud. It would be wonderful to change the narrative surrounding Yemen. When we stand united, we believe we can compete with anyone,” he concluded.
