MUSCAT: A 10-man Oman stunned Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the semifinal to storm into the final of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
At the Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Stadium, Oman had a shock in the 34th minute when striker Al Mandhar al Alawi got a red card for a foul on Saudi’s star player Salem al Dawsari. However, the Rasheed Jaber-coached side made enough adjustments that the numerical disadvantage did not reflect in their game plan on the ground.
Arshad al Alawi’s screaming grounder went under the Saudi Arabian wall to reach the bottom left corner past a diving Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf al Aqidi in the 74th minute.
Saudi’s Musab al Juwayr got a yellow card for the foul on Arshad al Alawi.
The Red Warriors showed no signs of missing a player as they powered into a 2-0 lead. Ali al Busaidy’s stunning left-footed shot landed to the high centre of the goal in the 85th minute.
Saudi regrouped quickly after the second goal as Mohamed Kanno’s powerful right-footed shot from outside the box beat Oman keeper Fayez al Rushaidi in the next minute.
Oman stood firm in the final minutes as VAR decision upgraded Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Hawsawi card as red card after a foul on Thani al Rushaidi as Saudi also were reduced to 10 men at the start of the 10-minute additional time.
The match began with Saudi attack as Abdullah al Hamdan broke through to the Oman penalty box and defender Thani al Rushaidi was on time to clear the ball for a corner.
Next moment, Saudi Arabia got a free kick just outside of Oman penalty box after a handball by Jameel al Yahmadi. Musab al Juwayr’s right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner by a diving Fayez al Rushaidi.
Oman will meet the winner of Kuwait and Bahrain in the final on Saturday.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
