He defied all the odds: behind the scenes of Al-Hamdan's penalty in the Gulf Cup 27 final

Explosive statements and difficult circumstances

Abdullah Al-Hamdan refused to buckle. Despite the public criticism and the shocking attacks he has endured in recent weeks, the Saudi Arabia star stepped up to take the first penalty against Qatar in Saturday's Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final.

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He buried it. That first spot-kick gave his team-mates the belief to throw everything into the game and book a place in the Gulf Cup final against the UAE next Tuesday evening.

Al-Hamdan's bravery astonished Mohammed Noor, the Saudi Arabia legend who interviewed him after the match. The Al-Nassr star spoke candidly, telling him: "I was the one who asked to take the first penalty."

"Despite the pressures I was subjected to, I felt I had the ability to take it and I actually did, and I gave my team-mates confidence afterwards," he added.

Noor's response was glowing: "I am proud of you, you must continue and give everything you have, you are a great player, and you have a lot."