Goals rain as Oman boys thrash Guam 18-0

Muscat: Oman boys showcased a remarkable performance as they secured their second straight win in Group J of the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers with an emphatic 18-0 win over Guam on Friday at Bishan Stadium. With this win, Oman moved to six points, building on their 5-0 triumph in the opening match against the hosts Singapore. The team will face Tajikistan on Sunday in a critical game to determine the group leader, with goal difference potentially playing a crucial role. Guam had suffered a record 33-0 defeat against Tajikistan on Wednesday.

From the outset, Oman was on the offensive, pushing for early goals after the referee’s whistle. The 'junior Red Warriors' dominated the first half, closing it at an 8-0 lead. Al Waleed al Rashdi led the charge with an impressive four-goal streak, scoring in the 20th, 23rd, 39th and 49th minutes. Midfielder Qais Amin also scored four goals, netting his 'super hat-trick' in the 53rd, 62nd, 83rd and 86th minutes. Waqas al Azki contributed a hat-trick as well, with goals in the 8th, 41st and 78th minutes.

Al Waleed Al Abdulsalam added to the scoreboard with goals in the 18th and 46th minutes, while Firas al Saadi scored twice in the 82nd and 92nd minutes. Sulaiman al Kharusi (26th minute), Al Waleed al Buraidi (56th minute) and Al Yazan al Balushi (71st minute) each found the net, completing Oman’s dominant display.

Following the match, head coach Anwar al Habsi praised his team for the historic win. “Congratulations to the players for their exceptional performance. We entered the match aiming for victory, and the players delivered in style. Our strategy was to encourage the team to enjoy the game and score as much as possible. Importantly, we aimed to give every squad member a chance to play, which we achieved today. This was a valuable experience for all players,” he said.

Looking ahead, Al Habsi highlighted the significance of the upcoming game against Tajikistan. “The match against Tajikistan will be pivotal for us. To prepare, we’ve prioritised resting key players so they’re ready for this decisive encounter. Our focus is set on winning and securing the top spot to advance to the finals,” he concluded.