Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: After two stunning victories, Oman will be looking for an outright victory over hosts Tajikistan in the AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers in Dushanbe on Sunday.
The final match of Group B qualifiers, scheduled to kick off at 6.00 p.m. Oman time, is vital for the fortunes of both Oman and Tajikistan.
Yacoub Al Sabahi-coached Omanis, who had defeated Maldives 8-0 and Syria 6-0 in their previous matches, need an outright victory to clinch a direct berth in the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship.
On the other hand, Tajikistan who are ahead on goal average, thanks to their 2-0 and 14-0 wins over Syria and Maldives respectively, need only a draw to top the group and book a place in the finals.
The ten group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship finals along with the hosts Malaysia.
Though Oman can still qualify as the one of the five best second-placed teams, Al Sabahi boys will be hoping to clinch a direct berth on Sunday.
The AFC U-16 Championship is scheduled to take place in Malaysia from September 20 and October 7, 2018.
Oman majestic
On Friday, Oman were majestic in the second half against Syria.
According to the news posted on AFC website, Oman, however, burst into life in the second half with Al Azhar Hamza breaking the deadlock in the 65th minute when he was left unmarked in the penalty area.
It was just the beginning for Oman, as Tariq Khamis Al Mashary dribbled past two Syrian defenders before relaying the ball to Omar Nasser Al Salti for a clean finish, two minutes later.
Tariq scored his second goal of the tournament when custodian Talal Alkashak was caught off guard.
Four minutes later, Fahad Said Al Rasbi scored from close range, courtesy of Qusai Salim Al Jaradi’s cross into the box.
Riding on their wave of success, Osma Sulaiman Al Hadabi’s excellent footwork then beat the Syrian defence for Talal to score in the 80th minute.
The synergy between Mulham Yousuf Al Sinaidi and Qusai was fruitful in the final third, as Qusai scored two minutes later to complete a fabulous 90 minutes for Oman.
Maldives routed
After a narrow 2-0 win over Syria on Matchday One, Tajikistan begin quicker this time with Sangov Shohrukh’s long range shot into an unguarded goal in the 23rd minute.
Just six minutes later, Rahmatov Sharifbek converted a penalty, before Emomali Ahmadkhon chipped the ball over custodian Mohamed Raif Abdula at the 35th minute.
Zairov Islom scored in added-on time, courtesy of a cross from Sangrov to make it 4-0.
Tajikistan were not done yet though as both Zairov and Emomali earned their second goals shortly after.
After the break, Emomali completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute, with Soirov Rustam scoring nine minutes later.
Maldives were pushed further back with an own goal from Ahmed Nahil Ibrahim 71 minutes into the game.
In the 79th minute, Soirov scored his second of the night before Khasanov Azizbek etched his name on the scoresheet.
Sairov continued with goals in the 87th and 89th minutes before Rahmatov capped the night with the final effort to take Tajikistan to the top of the standings.
