Oman beat Kuwait to boost World Cup qualification hopes
MUSCAT - Oman's Red Warriors continued their excellent run as they recorded a thrilling 1-0 win against hosts Kuwait to boost their chances of a place at the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
Rasheed Jaber's side win in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 consolidated their hold on fourth place in Group B as they now have 10 points from eight games. South Korea top the group with 16 and are followed by Jordan (13) and Iraq (12). Issam Al Sabhi scored the game's only goal in the 56th minute to open up a five point gap over fifth-placed Kuwait with two rounds remaining.
Oman now have matches against the Jordanians and Palestine to come in June.
The first two finishers in the group qualify directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico while the third and fourth placed teams progress into a fourth round.
On the pitch at Jaber Al Ahmed International Stadium in Ardiyah in Kuwait,
a blunder by Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini almost yielded a seventh minute opener for Kuwait, the ball landing at the feet of Khaled Hajiah as the Oman goalkeeper attempted to launch a quick counterattack but the central defender's goal-bound shot was deflected over the bar.
Hajiah then headed off target at the resulting corner while Al Sabhi pulled his effort wide moments later at the other end of the pitch.
It took until the 32nd minute for the visitors to gain another sight of goal, Arshad Al Alawi crashing a right-foot shot from 20 yards out towards goal that had goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi scrambling across his line, only for the ball to find the side-netting.
By the 11th minute of the second half the visitors had gone ahead. Amjad Al Harthi was released down the right before swinging in a first time cross that Al Sabhi powered past Al Rashidi with a downward header.
The Omanis threatened again as the hour mark approached, Al Alawi shooting straight at Al Rashidi from outside the area after Jameel Al Yahmadi had scampered down the right wing.
With a quarter of the game remaining Kuwait thought they had been awarded a penalty after Thani Al Rushaidi's challenge on Salman Al Awadhi only for the decision to be overturned on review.
Eid Al Rashedi shot straight at Al Mukhaini while Mohammad Daham and Fahad Al Hajeri were off target with their attempts for the home side as the clock ticked down, leaving the Omanis to depart Kuwait City with the valuable points.
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