Wednesday 30 / October / 2024
Muscat: Oman were made to toil in their opening match of the 2017 AFC Asian Beach Soccer Championship with the defending champions managing to edge Thailand for 3-2 victory in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia on Monday
In a closely-contested match of the three-team Group B, Talib Hilal-coached Omanis though did well to fight back and overcome the Thais to launch their title defence on a positive note.
According to the news posted on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website, it was an even contest during the opening phase of the game but it was Thailand who opened their account in great fashion as a Komkrit Nanan scissors kick found the Omanis’ net on six minutes.
Jullawan Pinkaew then had a chance shortly after to double their lead but his close-range header dangerously hit the post before the first period ended.
Come the second period, Khalid Al Oraimi almost equalised but his bicycle kick flew high after a rebound from Mandhar Al Araimi’s strong header.
Nooh Al Zadjali also came close in Oman’s desperate quest for the equaliser but his strike from a distance hit the bar as the second period ended without a goal scored.
Pinkaew was again the Thais’ hero as his header in a one-on-one encounter with Haitham Showan in front of goal bounced off the keeper and into the net to notch Thailand’s second.
Oman finally scored their first goal on the 29th minute thanks to Al Oraimi before Yahya Al Araimi evened the scores with their second only a minute later.
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Oman then took over the lead as Al Oraimi scored his second and his side’s eventual winner with a minute remaining to give the Omanis their last-minute win.
Oman will play their second and last group match against Lebanon on Wednesday.
The top three finishers at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship will represent Asia at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in in Nassau, Bahamas from April 27 to May 7.
