Star midfielder Noor lets down Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian star midfielder, Mohammad Noor became a phenomenon in the 17th Gulf Cup.

The dynamic midfielder who played a major role earlier this month in leading his club, Al Ittihad, to win the Asian Champions League, was one of the major reasons for his team's exit from the first round of the Gulf Cup despite the fact that they were the best favourites to defend the trophy they won in the 15th and 16th versions successively.

Noor was shown the red card in his team's first match against Kuwait after collecting two yellow cards one for foul play and the other for misconduct.

He collected both yellow cards before the break which means he played 45 minutes only with his team.

Kuwait, who were trailing when the expulsion happened, came from behind and won 2-1.

Noor missed his team's match against Yemen which the Saudis won 2-0.

Noor's second appearance after serving his one match ban was against Bahrain in a crucial match which the Saudis needed not to lose to reach the semifinal round.

The first half ended in a goalless tie with Bahrain making all the dangerous moves and attacking initiations.

Nine minutes after the break, Noor collected his first yellow card for foul play, seven minutes later he collected his second for protest. He was sent off for an early shower. Two minutes after his expulsion, Bahrain took the lead and went on to trounce the defending champions 3-0.

Saudi reporters who are covering the Gulf Cup blamed Noor as one of the main reasons for the exit for their team.

They say that Noor and his Al Ittihad colleagues are saturated from winning the Asian Champions League trophy.

They lost their first leg match at home in Jeddah 3-0 before traveling to Seoul to beat Seongnam 5-0 and return with the title in one of the most tremendous come backs in the history of the Asian clubs championships.

Calderon, the head coach of Saudi Arabia, said that the sending off of Noor was one main reason for the defeat while Abdullah Al Azal, the head of the delegation, said that Noor made a big mistake and he is responsible for the team exit from the championship.

The comments are a sign that the Saudi FA will surely punish Noor for his irresponsible behaviour in the Gulf Cup. He will be suspended.