Oman to face Japan in crunch Asian Cup semifinal
Published: 05:03 PM,Mar 28,2025 | EDITED : 09:03 PM,Mar 28,2025
Oman and UAE players in action during the quarterfinal.
Muscat, MARCH 28
Oman will aim to seal a berth in the final of AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 as they meet Japan in a tight semifinal clash on Saturday at the Jomtien Beach Arena. The match will start at 5:30 pm (Oman Time). In another clash, Saudi Arabia will meet Iran and the winners from both matches will move to the final on Sunday.
Coach Talib Hilal’s men will look to win the semifinal and aim their second title after a decade since the last achievement in 2015. Winning the match against Japan will provide Oman an Asian ticket to the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles in May.
Oman coach Talib Hilal voiced confidence that the team will deliver their best against Japan. “The earlier stage of the tournament was much easier as we started the event with 16 teams and now we are down to four. Every match has been crucial,” Hilal told a press conference.
“All the matches are difficult and Japan match in the semifinal will be a tough clash. Both teams are well prepared and have shown strong performances along the way. Our target is to clinch on the tournament title and this is our intention from the beginning of the event. I have faith in my team and their ability to win,” the long-serving coach added.
Oman captain Mundher al Oraimi affirmed that Japan clash will be difficult and has its own calculations. “Many thanks to the players and the coaching staff for the efforts made during the last matches. We respect the opponent and I am confident that we can overcome Japan and move further in the event,” Al Oraimi added.
“The team went in intensive internal and external camps during the last months. Winning this trophy again is a shared dream. We have managed to perform well and now we face a side that has won this title three times. Hopefully, with our hard work and a bit of luck, we will be in Sunday’s final,” he said.
On the other hand, Japan will look to secure a record fourth title. “At this stage, winning a record fourth title is not on our minds,” said Japan head coach Teruki Tabata.
“All the games in this competition have been extremely tough, and I have no doubt facing Oman will be no different. They have had a strong tournament, and we have immense respect for them,” the Japan coach said.
OMAN THRASH UAE
Oman confirmed their presence in the semifinal after they thumped UAE 7-2 on Thursday in the quarterfinal. Despite UAE taking the lead in the opening minute through Rashed Eid who rose highest to squeeze in a header at the far post after Abbas Ali’s initial attempt took a heavy deflection. Then, Oman bounced back strongly through Sami al Bulushi who registered the equaliser after an organised attempt between Nooh al Zadjali and Salim al Oraimi.
Musallam al Oraimi doubled Oman’s lead but UAE's Rashid Obaid's overhead kick in the 11th minute drew score level at 2-2. Yahya al Murkhi managed to put Oman ahead by 3-2 before the end of the first period.
Oman players entered the following interval actively as Saim al Oraimi made it 4-2 and strengthened their lead. In the final minute of the second period, Nouh al Zadjali raised the scoring gap to make it 5-2. Oman added two more goals through Musallam al Oraimi in the 32nd and 36th minutes as Musallam netted a hat-trick. The triumph confirmed Oman’s spot in the semis of the Asian event.
Oman will aim to seal a berth in the final of AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 as they meet Japan in a tight semifinal clash on Saturday at the Jomtien Beach Arena. The match will start at 5:30 pm (Oman Time). In another clash, Saudi Arabia will meet Iran and the winners from both matches will move to the final on Sunday.
Coach Talib Hilal’s men will look to win the semifinal and aim their second title after a decade since the last achievement in 2015. Winning the match against Japan will provide Oman an Asian ticket to the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles in May.
Oman coach Talib Hilal voiced confidence that the team will deliver their best against Japan. “The earlier stage of the tournament was much easier as we started the event with 16 teams and now we are down to four. Every match has been crucial,” Hilal told a press conference.
“All the matches are difficult and Japan match in the semifinal will be a tough clash. Both teams are well prepared and have shown strong performances along the way. Our target is to clinch on the tournament title and this is our intention from the beginning of the event. I have faith in my team and their ability to win,” the long-serving coach added.
Oman captain Mundher al Oraimi affirmed that Japan clash will be difficult and has its own calculations. “Many thanks to the players and the coaching staff for the efforts made during the last matches. We respect the opponent and I am confident that we can overcome Japan and move further in the event,” Al Oraimi added.
“The team went in intensive internal and external camps during the last months. Winning this trophy again is a shared dream. We have managed to perform well and now we face a side that has won this title three times. Hopefully, with our hard work and a bit of luck, we will be in Sunday’s final,” he said.
On the other hand, Japan will look to secure a record fourth title. “At this stage, winning a record fourth title is not on our minds,” said Japan head coach Teruki Tabata.
“All the games in this competition have been extremely tough, and I have no doubt facing Oman will be no different. They have had a strong tournament, and we have immense respect for them,” the Japan coach said.
OMAN THRASH UAE
Oman confirmed their presence in the semifinal after they thumped UAE 7-2 on Thursday in the quarterfinal. Despite UAE taking the lead in the opening minute through Rashed Eid who rose highest to squeeze in a header at the far post after Abbas Ali’s initial attempt took a heavy deflection. Then, Oman bounced back strongly through Sami al Bulushi who registered the equaliser after an organised attempt between Nooh al Zadjali and Salim al Oraimi.
Musallam al Oraimi doubled Oman’s lead but UAE's Rashid Obaid's overhead kick in the 11th minute drew score level at 2-2. Yahya al Murkhi managed to put Oman ahead by 3-2 before the end of the first period.
Oman players entered the following interval actively as Saim al Oraimi made it 4-2 and strengthened their lead. In the final minute of the second period, Nouh al Zadjali raised the scoring gap to make it 5-2. Oman added two more goals through Musallam al Oraimi in the 32nd and 36th minutes as Musallam netted a hat-trick. The triumph confirmed Oman’s spot in the semis of the Asian event.