The Gulf Cup. Technically, I suppose, it’s the Gulf Cup of Nations. Played every two years. Probably very few people, even serious soccer fans, know about this tournament. But is huge in the UAE and environs.

And tonight the UAE senior side, augmented by the rising stars who played at the 2012 London Olympics, defeated Kuwait 1-0 in the semifinals on an 89th-minute goal, and now they have reached the 2013 Gulf Cup final — which is a very big deal in this part of the world.

The Gulf Cup comprises only eight nations — Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait and the UAE — but this is very serious business, locally. Local rivalries are always the most intense, even if the opposition is neighbors and friends — which is pretty much the case with the Gulf Cup countries.

This event has gone off every two years (major land wars permitting) since 1970, but the UAE has won it only once, and that was in 2007, when the UAE hosted the competition.

That remains the only international trophy won by the UAE senior side.

Winning another Gulf Cup, in another country (Bahrain is the host) would be even bigger deal, and now they are one game away.

The Emiratis have looked good nearly the whole way, defeating Qatar 3-1, Bahrain 2-1, Oman 2-0, and, now, Kuwait.

The are a highly technical side, so pleasant to watch, particularly when their two little midfielders, Omar Abdulrahman and Amer Abdulrahman, have the ball. (No, no relation.)

I like the coach, Mahdi Ali, too, even though he has bought in to the bad example set by Jose Mourinho, who believes that any contact with the media is bad.  Which is why I prize more than before the hour he gave me, back in April, after qualifying for the London Olympics. That led to what I believe is the authoritative piece, in English, on the guy.

UAE citizens have been exited and agitated about this tournament from the start, and really in to it, and tonight they filled up a big chunk of the stadium, after a bunch of guys made the seven-hour drive over to Bahrain, and about 10 planes were arranged to transport fans — at no cost.

Final on Friday, versus Iraq — maybe the biggest sports event since The National began publishing, in April of 2008.