ADEN, Yemen: Saudi Arabia made a rousing start to its challenge for the title by routing host Yemen 4-0 in the opening match of the Gulf Cup Football Tournament here Monday. Saudi Arabia led 1-0 at the break. In the second match, Youssef Salman scored the only goal in the 27th minute for Kuwait to beat Qatar 1-0. The first goal of the tournament came from a header by Saudi Arabia's Osama Al-Mouallad in the third minute. Mohammed Al-Shalhoub doubled his side's lead in the 57th minute and Muhannad Asiri netted the third in the 70th minute from a penalty kick. Yemeni defender Basil Al-Aqel was sent off one minuter later. Mishal Al-Saeed completed the rout in the second minute of injury time. Earlier, the tournament got off to a colorful start amid heavy security and threats of violence from Al-Qaeda. Several rings of checkpoints were set up around the May 22 Stadium in the southern port of Aden, the host city for the eight-nation event, and police earlier stopped a protest rally called by southern separatists. The opening ceremony featured an artistic display by about 1,500 dancers from Yemen and other Gulf countries that reflected the region's history and cultural life. The tournament draw in August had prompted leaders of a separatist movement in southern Yemen to demand that the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq boycott the competition. Chelsea out to bounce back After suffering a domestic dose of the jitters, Chelsea, London rival Arsenal and German giant Bayern Munich will seek solace in strong Champions League form Tuesday. Chelsea and Bayern are at least already assured of their passage to the last 16 ahead of a home encounter with Zilina and trip to Roma respectively whereas Arsenal must put points on the board at Portugal's Sporting Braga if they are to avoid throwing away their strong start in Group H. Its Premier League lead down to mere goal difference after three losses in four games, Chelsea is struggling to stay on the rails at home and there is clearly some discord over the sudden sacking of former assistant coach Ray Wilkins - who has claimed unfair dismissal.
