Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: After giving hosts Kyrgyzstan a 5-1 hiding, a confident Oman are hoping to seal a direct berth in the AFC U-23 Championship when they take on Iran in the final and crucial Group A qualifying match in Bishkek on Sunday.
Though Hamad Al Azzani-trained Omani side -- thanks to their superior goal average to that of Iran who defeated Kyrgyzstan by a 2-1 margin in their group match -- need only a draw on Sunday but coach said his wards will look for an outright victory.
The toppers from each of ten groups as well as five best runners-up across all groups will automatically qualify for next year’s AFC U-23 Championship in China.
On Thursday, their 5-1 win against the hosts saw Oman surge to the top of the standings.
According to the news posted on the AFC website, Oman didn’t have it easy against Kyrgyzs, as they failed to convert their dominance into goals in the first half.
In fact, the hosts took the lead in first half stoppage time through striker Odil Abdurahmanov who scored off a pass from Abai Bokoleev.
A stung Oman came charging in the second half and drew level in the 61st minute when Muhsen Al Ghassani headed home.
It was all Oman after that but they had to wait till the 81st minute before taking the lead, courtesy of Abdullah Al Aghbari scoring from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later, Al Ghassani scored his second, Jameel Al Yahmadi added the fourth just a minute later and Al Ghassani wrapped up proceedings for Oman when he completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Hamed Al Azzani said after the match: “The performance of our team was terrible in the first half. In the second half, we gathered and scored as many goals as was needed.
“We are very pleased. Even though we would be satisfied with a draw in the match with Iran, we will play only to win.”
