Oman edge Saudi Arabia to reach West Asian U23 semis
Published: 06:03 PM,Mar 20,2025 | EDITED : 10:03 PM,Mar 20,2025
Oman and Saudi Arabia players in action. — Abdulwahid al Hamadani
MUSCAT: Oman's Olympic team secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the West Asian Championship, held in Oman from March 19 to 25 at the Seeb Sports Stadium. With this win, Oman advanced to the semifinals to face Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia will compete for positions five through eight.
The first half saw Saudi Arabia dominate possession, while Oman adopted a defensive approach, relying on counterattacks that posed little threat. Coach Badr al Maimani was forced to make an early substitution, replacing the injured Jawad al Azi with Samir al Hatmi. Despite multiple chances for the Saudis, the first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, Saudi Arabia continued to press forward, but Oman's defence and goalkeeper successfully repelled their attempts. As time progressed, Oman gradually increased their offensive efforts. In the 81st minute, Sultan al Marzouqi broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo run and a powerful shot into the net.
Saudi Arabia pushed hard for an equaliser in the final minutes. The referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, during which Saudi Arabia intensified their attacks, but poor finishing and a lack of composure prevented them from scoring. The match ended with Oman’s victory and qualification for the semifinals.
BAHRAIN, SYRIA AND JORDAN ADVANCE
Bahrain secured a spot in the semifinals after defeating the UAE 2-1 at Seeb Sports Stadium.
The UAE started the match strongly, scoring an early goal in the opening seconds with a powerful strike from outside the box by Junior Ndaye. Following a period of sustained pressure, Bahrain found their rhythm and equalised in the 20th minute through Saud Ibrahim, whose shot was too much for goalkeeper Adli Mohammed to handle. The first half ended 1-1.
In the second half, both teams exchanged attacks, each coming close to scoring. Bahrain eventually won a penalty, which Abdulrahman al Khayyat converted, securing a 2-1 victory and a place in the semifinals.
Syria booked their place in the semifinals by defeating Lebanon in a dramatic penalty shootout (4-2) following a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time. The match, held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, set up Syria’s semifinal clash with Jordan.
The match started intensely, with Lebanon striking early. Mohammad Zbeeb opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Ali Fadi doubled the lead just two minutes later, capitalising on defensive errors by Syria. Despite the early setback, Syria gradually regained their composure and was handed a lifeline when Lebanese defender Mohammad al Mousawi was sent off in the 33rd minute. However, Syria failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, and Lebanon went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Syria came out aggressively in the second half, quickly reducing the deficit in the 50th minute through Hassan Dahan. Just a minute later, Dahan converted a penalty to equalise the match at 2-2. Despite being down to 10 men, Lebanon attempted to regain control, while Syria pressed hard for a winning goal, missing several clear chances. With the game tied at full-time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Syria triumphed 4-2.
Jordan’s Olympic team secured a semifinal berth after a 2-0 win over Kuwait in a match held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Baker Kalboneh scored both goals, the first in the 45th minute with a powerful shot and the second in the 53rd minute after a precise pass from Al Azaizeh. Jordan dominated the match from the start, while Kuwait attempted to reduce the deficit. The victory secured Jordan’s spot in the semifinals.
The first half saw Saudi Arabia dominate possession, while Oman adopted a defensive approach, relying on counterattacks that posed little threat. Coach Badr al Maimani was forced to make an early substitution, replacing the injured Jawad al Azi with Samir al Hatmi. Despite multiple chances for the Saudis, the first half ended in a goalless draw.
In the second half, Saudi Arabia continued to press forward, but Oman's defence and goalkeeper successfully repelled their attempts. As time progressed, Oman gradually increased their offensive efforts. In the 81st minute, Sultan al Marzouqi broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo run and a powerful shot into the net.
Saudi Arabia pushed hard for an equaliser in the final minutes. The referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, during which Saudi Arabia intensified their attacks, but poor finishing and a lack of composure prevented them from scoring. The match ended with Oman’s victory and qualification for the semifinals.
BAHRAIN, SYRIA AND JORDAN ADVANCE
Bahrain secured a spot in the semifinals after defeating the UAE 2-1 at Seeb Sports Stadium.
The UAE started the match strongly, scoring an early goal in the opening seconds with a powerful strike from outside the box by Junior Ndaye. Following a period of sustained pressure, Bahrain found their rhythm and equalised in the 20th minute through Saud Ibrahim, whose shot was too much for goalkeeper Adli Mohammed to handle. The first half ended 1-1.
In the second half, both teams exchanged attacks, each coming close to scoring. Bahrain eventually won a penalty, which Abdulrahman al Khayyat converted, securing a 2-1 victory and a place in the semifinals.
Syria booked their place in the semifinals by defeating Lebanon in a dramatic penalty shootout (4-2) following a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time. The match, held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, set up Syria’s semifinal clash with Jordan.
The match started intensely, with Lebanon striking early. Mohammad Zbeeb opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Ali Fadi doubled the lead just two minutes later, capitalising on defensive errors by Syria. Despite the early setback, Syria gradually regained their composure and was handed a lifeline when Lebanese defender Mohammad al Mousawi was sent off in the 33rd minute. However, Syria failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, and Lebanon went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Syria came out aggressively in the second half, quickly reducing the deficit in the 50th minute through Hassan Dahan. Just a minute later, Dahan converted a penalty to equalise the match at 2-2. Despite being down to 10 men, Lebanon attempted to regain control, while Syria pressed hard for a winning goal, missing several clear chances. With the game tied at full-time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Syria triumphed 4-2.
Jordan’s Olympic team secured a semifinal berth after a 2-0 win over Kuwait in a match held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Baker Kalboneh scored both goals, the first in the 45th minute with a powerful shot and the second in the 53rd minute after a precise pass from Al Azaizeh. Jordan dominated the match from the start, while Kuwait attempted to reduce the deficit. The victory secured Jordan’s spot in the semifinals.