Oman Qualifies via Draw... Full Points for Saudi Arabia

Oman reached the semi-finals of “Gulf 27” after the draw conducted yesterday by the competitions committee of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Association eliminated Iraq, as both teams finished level on all tiebreakers in Group A. The Iraqi national team had lost 3-0 to their Saudi counterparts, while Oman defeated “Al-Azraq” 3-1. Following the conclusion of the second match, Omani players celebrated their qualification for the semi-finals, before their celebrations were postponed to conduct a draw to determine which of them and the Iraqi national team would advance. The two teams were tied after their matches in the head-to-head result (1-1), goal difference, and fair play points, prompting the organizing committee to hold a draw about two hours later to decide the qualifier.

Saudi Arabia topped the standings with nine points thanks to their third consecutive victory, with goals from Abdullah Al-Salem (54th minute) and Abdullah Al-Hamdani (68th minute). Although the first half did not meet expectations, the Saudi “Green” team, which made extensive changes to its lineup, was the better side for most of the period. Saudi attacks initially lacked danger until Al-Salem rose to head a cross wide of the post (18th minute), followed by Mohammed Abulshamat’s powerful shot that clipped the crossbar (24th minute). Iraqi coach Graham Arnold was forced to make an involuntary substitution, bringing on Ibrahim Baish for defender Mustafa Saadoun one minute before the end of the first half.

Al-Salem opened the scoring by capitalizing on a set piece delivered inside the penalty area, exploiting a defensive error involving the backline and goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who allowed the ball to go into the net (54th minute). Saudi coach Giorgos Donis replaced Al-Salem and Sultan Mandeesh with Saleh Al-Shehri and Firas Al-Brikan, while Iraq made three changes, introducing Ayman Hussein, Ahmed Yahya, and Zaidan Iqbal for Hassan Abdul-Karim, Karar Nabil, and Ahmed Qasim. From a quick counterattack, Al-Hamdani added Saudi Arabia’s second goal with a low, powerful shot into the net after a smart pass and a quick rebound (68th minute). Iraq had a chance to narrow the deficit, but Abdulilah Al-Amri cleared the ball for a corner (79th minute), before Ali Jasim fired a powerful shot just wide of the post (81st minute).

Oman turned their 1-0 deficit against “Al-Azraq” into a 3-1 victory. Oman fell behind when Shabib Al-Khalidi headed in from a corner (6th minute). However, Nasser Al-Rouaihi equalized following a counterattack, tapping in from close range (65th minute). Al-Rouaihi added a second for Oman with a curling, low shot (81st minute), before Musab Al-Shaqsi secured the win with a header from a corner (84th minute).