Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Muscat: Keeping their cool when it mattered most, Oman outlasted a battling Qatar for a 4-1 shootout victory and lift the CISM World Cup at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Saturday.
The teams were locked 0-0 at the end of the regulation time and neither the team failed to open the account during the extra-time. But in the ensuing penalty shootout, it was Mohanna Said-coached Oman who maintained their composure to convert their penalties.
With Qatar wilting under pressure, Oman went on to cover themselves with the glory in the 16-team World Cup for the military football teams.
As expected the Sultanate squad, who had settle for second place in the 2013 CISM World Cup behind Iraq and another runners-up spot in 2015 World Championship behind Algeria, went all the way to lift the World Cup in front of their home fans at the iconic Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Oman have been in great form throughout the championship recording one-sided victories, including two 5-0 victories. But in the final, they were denied by the rather cautious looking Qatari side.
However, in the penalty shootout the Omanis were on target with Saud Khamis Al Farsi, Jamal Darwish Al Mashari, Saad Suhail and Mohsin Jowhar slotting the ball home.
For Qatar, Ngom Abdullahkhad was successful with the first penalty but Michael Da Silva and Moreira Jean fumbled with their attempts.
Al Habsi congratulates
As soon as the match got over, Omani goalkeeping hero Ali Al Habsi congratulated the Sultanate’s military football team for their glorious victory.
The Omani legend expressed his elation with a simple tweet ‘mabrook’.
Syria third
Earlier in the evening, the third-place play-off match was also decided by penalties with Syria defeating Egypt 6-5. The teams were locked 2-2 at the regulation time and the extra-time.
