Wednesday 08 / October / 2025
MUSCAT: Oman and Qatar played out a goalless draw in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs Group A tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Wednesday.
The result leaves both with work to do with Carlos Queiroz-coached Oman to face the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, with the Emiratis taking on Qatar three days later.
Only the group winners will earn automatic qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Sultan Al Brake and Edmílson Junior caused early problems for Oman while at the other end, a wayward backpass from Al Brake almost exposed keeper Mahmud Abunada, who was forced to concede a throw-in after pressure from Oman’s striker Issam Al Sabhi.
It was the home side who had the first glance at goal in the 13th minute with Boualem Khoukhi missing the target from distance while Abunada’s first real test came in the 27th minute when Al Sabhi skipped past his marker with a neat turn, only to see his powerful left-footed shot comfortably saved by the Qatar custodian.
Qatar almost capitalised six minutes later when Mohammad Al Mannai slipped a clever ball through to Akram Afif, who tried to catch Oman napping but Thani Al Rushaidi was up to the task with a solid intervention.
Nasser Al Rawahi came close to finding the opener for Oman after seeing his glancing header whisk over the bar off a corner, while Qatar’s push for goal in the closing stages of the half came from Afif, whose effort was easily dealt by the Omani defence.
Afif came knocking on Oman’s door again four minutes after the restart, bursting through the centre and weaving past defenders before cutting inside the box on his favourite right foot, only to drag his effort just wide.
Oman almost caused problems for Julen Lopetegui’s side on 69 minutes when Abunada rushed off his line to clear a cross into the box and in doing so left his goal exposed but Abdullah Fawaz could not find the target from distance.
Almoez Ali came on in the 57th minute for Ahmed Al Ganehi but couldn't inspire Qatar to victory as the teams settled for a share of the spoils.
(With inputs from the www-the-afc.com)
