27-02-2025
Oman finish runners-up in Veterans Gulf Cup
MUSCAT, FEB 27
Oman settled for the runners-up position at the Veterans Gulf Cup after they lost narrowly by 4-3 in penalty shoot-out against Iraq in the final late on Wednesday after the regulation time ended in a goalless draw.
Oman head coach Younis Aman began the match with a starting lineup that featured of Omani goalkeeping great Ali al Habsi, Said al Shoon, Mohammed Hamed, Hashim Saleh, Fawzi Basheer, Hani al Dhabit, Ismail al Ajmi, Hasan Yousef, Abdullah al Sheen, Nabeel Ashoor and Juma Darweesh.
Both teams could not break the deadlock in the regulation time as all the scoring chances were missed. Oman's striker Hashim Saleh missed few scoring attempts as the defending line of the opponents broke all the attempts. On the other hand, Iraq team pressed hard in both halves for a goal but Oman defenders and Ali al Habsi managed to save all their chances.
The first and second halves ended in goalless draw and then the match moved to the penalties. Oman players missed three penalties including Hassan Mudhafar, Badar al Maimani and Hashim Saleh while Iraq players managed to take the advantage and emerged champions of this edition of the event.
Oman's Ismail al Ajmi was named as the top scorer while Karrar Jassim from Iraq received the title of the best player in the tournament. Iraq's goalkeeper Noor Sabri was selected as the best goalkeeper.
Oman team progressed into the semifinal following their crucial 1-0 win over UAE on Monday. Oman team commenced their campaign in the tournament with a goalless draw against Kuwait. Then, they played out a 1-1 draw against Qatar in the second match. In the concluding game, they snatched a 1-0 win over UAE by a goal through Ismail al Ajmi in the first half to progress into semifinals. Oman topped Group A by five points while Qatar came second. Oman defeated Bahrain 2-1 in the semifinal to move into the final.
In Group B, Iraq led the pool by seven points following their last win against Saudi Arabia by 1-0. Iraq and Bahrain finished their match in a goalless draw while Iraq also won against Yemen to end as group toppers. Bahrain ended as second-placed team.
In the semis, Iraq stunned Qatar by 1-0 to secure slot in the concluding game.
The playing format of the event was based on the group system from first round. The first and second from each group qualified for the semifinals. Then, the winners from the semifinals progressed to the final match.
The upcoming edition of Veterans Gulf Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia as part of the Arabian Gulf Cup in its 27th edition.
