Oman make it two in a row with a win over Malaysia

MUSCAT: Oman maintained their winning momentum, recording their second successive victory as the Red Warriors outplayed Malaysia 2-0 in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Group D tie at the Bukhit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The richly deserved win leaves Oman, coached by Czech Jaroslav Silhavy, on nine points, level with Kyrgyzstan, who defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1. However, Kyrgyzstan stay ahead of Oman despite being level on goal-difference as the former had defeated Oman.

Silhavy’s men will next play Chinese Taipei on June 6 before concluding the group engagements with a game against Kyrgyzstan on June 11 in Muscat.

Malaysia, who lost the reverse fixture 2-0 last Thursday, had the early chance with Ariff Aiman gaining possession just inside the Oman half before unleashing a shot that almost slipped through the legs of keeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini, who recovered well to scramble the ball to safety.

Ariff threatened again in the seventh minute with a surging run down the right flank before floating the ball into the area towards Romel Morales who, however, failed to connect.

Oman responded two minutes later with Jameel Al Yahmadi in the thick of things but his shot from inside the box went high above the bar.

 The Red Warriors continued to attack and threatened again in the 14th minute with Mohsen Al Ghassani just failing to connect from inside the box, before Al Yahmadi saw his effort blocked after beating two defenders.

Malaysia goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi then produced two brilliant saves, the first in the 41st minute when he foiled Salah Al Yahyaei’s shot with Al Ghassani skying his effort on the follow up before tipping over the latter’s looping header two minutes later.

 Syihan, however, conceded a penalty in the closing stages of the half when he brought down Al Ghassani, leaving Omar Al Maliki to score the ensuing spot-kick to give Oman the lead going into the break.

Malaysia started the second half with confidence but it was Oman who came close, with the post denying Al Yahmadi in the 52nd minute with Syihan beaten.

Mohammed Al Ghafri was then denied by the woodwork with less than 10 minutes remaining but he came good in the fourth minute of added time, finishing off Abdullah Fawaz’s cutback from the edge of the area to seal the win.