Sunday 30 / March / 2025
MUSCAT: It was a triumphant Tuesday for Omani football as the nation celebrated a hat-trick of victories on the international stage.
Capping the day was the Oman U-23 team, who emerged as champions of the sixth edition of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship with a commanding 3-1 win over Jordan at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.
Adding to the jubilation, Oman’s senior national team secured a crucial victory against hosts Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, while the beach soccer team topped their group in the AFC Asian Cup with a decisive win over Bahrain to book a quarterfinal spot in Pattaya, Thailand.
Oman dominate final
At home, the highly anticipated final saw Oman deliver a stellar performance against a formidable Jordanian side. Jordan started aggressively, pressing high and creating early threats. However, Oman remained composed, relying on swift counterattacks and disciplined defending.
Oman’s first real opportunity came in the 24th minute when Osama Al Mahruqi’s dangerous cross found Luqman Al Jadeedi, who failed to convert.
Jordan’s attacking efforts were consistently thwarted by Oman’s steadfast defence, with goalkeeper Mazin Al Harassi proving a reliable last line of defence.
The deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute when Sultan Al Marzuq unleashed a brilliant strike from outside the box, curling the ball past the Jordanian goalkeeper to give Oman, coached by former Oman star Badr Al Maimani, a well-deserved lead heading into halftime.
Jordan came out fighting in the second half, determined to level the score. They nearly succeeded in the 52nd minute when Ayham Al Samarnah’s header narrowly missed the post, followed by a crucial save from Al Harassi in a one-on-one situation against Saif Darwish.
Oman almost doubled their lead in the 60th minute, but a goal-line clearance by Jordan’s Jaafar Al Samarnah denied them. The pressure from Jordan finally paid off in the 74th minute when Badr Kalboona equalised with a precise header from a corner.
Unshaken, Oman responded with tactical substitutions that reignited their attack. The breakthrough came in the 86th minute when Turki Bait Rabia produced a spectacular overhead kick, seizing on defensive confusion in the Jordanian box. The goal electrified the home crowd, and Oman didn’t stop there. In stoppage time, Ahad Al Mashaikhi sealed the victory with a stunning free-kick in the 93rd minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
Speaking after the match, Oman U-23 player Mohammed Bait Subeea expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement, dedicating the win to the passionate Omani fans. “We congratulate the Omani fans on this historic achievement. Many may not have expected this level of performance, but we stayed united and fought hard until the final whistle,” he said.
“Winning on home soil makes this victory even more special. The coaching staff had confidence in us, and we delivered.”
Syria secured third place after a 1-0 win over Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia finished fifth following a 2-0 victory against Kuwait. The UAE claimed seventh with a 3-0 win over Lebanon.
The championship trophy was presented to Oman’s victorious squad by Sheikh Mohsin Al Masroori, a WAFF Executive Committee member, alongside Oman Football Association board member Qutaiba Al Ghilani and tournament director Mustafa Al Hosni.
Individual accolades were also awarded: Sultan Al Marzuq was named Best Player of the Tournament, Mazin Al Harassi won Best Goalkeeper, and Jordan’s Badr Kalboona claimed the Top Scorer award.
