Monday 24 / March / 2025
MUSCAT: Former champions Oman, under coach Talib Hilal, delivered a commanding performance in their opening match of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025, defeating Vietnam 7-1 in Pattaya, Thailand, on Friday.
With this impressive win, Oman will look to maintain their momentum when they face Malaysia next on Sunday in Group D, while Vietnam aims to regroup and bounce back against Bahrain on Sunday. Bahrain beat Malaysia 4-3 in another pool match.
It took Oman less than ten seconds to break the deadlock, as Abdullah Masoud Salim opened the scoring. Salim expertly controlled Khalid Khamis Al Oraimi’s overhead cross, evading two Vietnam defenders before placing the ball into the bottom right corner past goalkeeper Nguyen Anh Quang.
The West Asians doubled their lead just six minutes later through a well-taken penalty by Sami Fail Al Balushi, which sailed past Quang and into the back of the net.
Oman continued to press forward, with Salim coming close to scoring his second in the 10th minute, but his shot struck the woodwork.
Vietnam’s best chance of the first period came in the final moments when Quang’s long-range effort was denied by the crossbar.
The second period saw Oman extend their advantage further, with Mushel Hilal Al Araimi’s stunning long-range strike finding the net to make it 3-0. Vietnam, under coach Van Duc, struggled to break through Oman's resolute defence.
The Abdullah-Al Oraimi combination remained a constant threat. Moments later, Abdullah scored his second goal of the game, converting from Al Oraimi’s precise corner kick to put Oman firmly in control.
Vietnam showed some signs of life in the third period when Phan Dat headed in a goal from Ho Quoc Hung’s well-delivered corner kick, reducing the deficit to 4-1. However, Oman quickly regained their dominance.
With six minutes remaining, Ahmed Rabi’a Al Owaisi converted a penalty to give Oman their fifth goal. The final minutes were a flurry of action as Musallam Mahfoodh Al Araimi netted twice in quick succession, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory for Oman.
