Football: Mohsin Johar, Al Ruzaiqi on target as Oman defeat Afghanistan in friendly

Sports Wednesday 30/August/2017 22:05 PM
By: Times News Service
Football: Mohsin Johar, Al Ruzaiqi on target as Oman defeat Afghanistan in friendly

Muscat: Midfielder Mohsin Johar Al Khaldi and striker Said Al Ruzaiqi were on target as Oman defeated Afghanistan by a 2-0 margin in a friendly match played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Pim Verbeek’s Oman, who were without some of the star players including goalkeeping hero Ali Al Habsi and striker Abdulaziz Al Maqbali, were slow to strike and found the net on either side of the break for a morale boosting victory ahead of their Asian Cup home qualifier against Maldives.
Despite dominating the proceedings, the Omanis failed to score a goal till the end of the match. But just before the break, Mohsin Johar came up with a stunning goal from close to the backline to put the home side ahead.
After the resumption, Oman continued to dominate and Said Al Ruzaiqi went on to double the lead with an opportunistic goal.
Though Oman failed to score further goals, the victory has come as a morale boost for the team before they face Maldives in the Asian Cup qualifier on September 5 at the same venue.
Oman, who lost their previous qualifier to Palestine, are currently in second position in Group D with six points. Palestine lead the group with six points.
The top two teams from each of the six groups qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup. They
Twelve other teams - Australia, China, Iraq, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan and UAE, have already qualified for the finals to be organised in UAE after through the joint second round qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Asian Cup.
Omantel League
Meanwhile, Omantel League chairman Shihab Al Hosni confirmed that the domestic league season will start on September 13.
Speaking at a press conference organised at the Oman Football Association Headquarters, he informed that 2017-18 season will be a hectic one which lasts till May 31, 2018.
He also informed that Oman national team will be completing a 43 days of training before they take part in the 23rd Gulf Cup in Doha at the end of this year.
The Sultanate’s under-23 team are also preparing for the AFC Under-23 Championship to be organised in China from January 9 to 27 in 2018.