MUSCAT: The Oman U-17 football team suffered a 3-1 loss to defending champions Yemen in the 11th edition of the West Asian Championship, which got underway in Amman late on Monday. Oman, coached by national coach Anwar al Habsi, will play against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in a very crucial game to keep their hopes alive.
In the opening match of the junior Red Warriors against Yemen, Kareem Hamdi put Yemen ahead in the 10th minute. Ali Delio doubled Yemen’s lead as he scored the second goal minutes before the end of the first half.
In the second half, coach Anwar al Habsi’s boys worked hard to reduce the scoring gap, and Ahmed al Omrani managed to register the first goal for Oman in the 55th minute, making it 2-1. The goal motivated the Omani players to push for an equaliser but Yemen’s striker Kareem Hamdi managed to score another goal for his team, securing their 3-1 victory and earning the first points. The triumph means Yemen are leading Group B with three points. Saudi Arabia will play their opening game against Oman on Wednesday in what promises to be a tight encounter.
In Group A, hosts Jordan defeated Lebanon 1-0 to clinch the first points. Group A comprises Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, while Group C features Bahrain, Syria and Palestine.
The top team from each group, along with the best second-placed team among the three groups, will advance to the semifinals. This tournament is particularly significant for the national junior team as they gear up for a major challenge at the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in late October. Oman will compete in Group J against Tajikistan, Guam and hosts Singapore in their quest for qualification.
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