MUSCAT: The Oman Olympic team suffered a shock defeat 2-0 against Sudan earlier on Sunday, at the Mohammed Hamlaoui Stadium in Algeria, for the third and concluding round matches of group A games in the under way Arabian Sports Games in Algeria which will conclude on Saturday.
Oman boys were looking for a draw and win to progress into the second round after they defeated Lebanon 1-0 and hold the hosts to a goalless draw in the opener. The loss ended Oman’s boys dream to move into the semis round in football competitions of the Arabian Sports Games.
Sudan’s goals were netted by Al Jazooli Nooh and Maisra Saad Allah. The triumph confirmed progression of African team Sudan to the semifinal round as they managed to earn six points from two victories against Lebanon (3-0) and against Oman (2-0) with one defeat against Algeria 2-1. The hosts Algeria topped group A as they ended the group round with seven points. The Algerian team commenced their campaign with a goalless draw against Oman before registering two consecutive wins against Sudan (2-1) and Lebanon (2-0).
Oman head coach Akram Habreesh, began the match with a balanced squad comprised from Mazin al Harrasi as a goalie. Abdullah al Fulaiti placed in the defending line alongside to Khalid al Ghatrifi, Yousef al Ghilani and Mohammed Abdul Hakeem. The middle line was monitored by Said al Salami, Abdul Hafidh al Mukhaini. In the area closer to operation box, Abdul Majeed al Balushi, Nasser al Rawahi and Omar al Salti supported the striker Salim Abdul Salam who was as the striker in the forward line.
The opponent Sudan players entered the match strongly as they were seeking for the opening goal. Al Jazooli Nooh broke the deadlock in early minutes of the first half to give his team the lead. Later on, Oman boys worked hard to score the equlaiser through movements of Abdul Majeed al Balushi and Omar al Salti and Salim Abdul Salam but all the attempts did not end in the net.
In the following half, the coach Akram Habreesh did some substitutions to enter new fresh faces in the field. Oman’s players focused towards the operation box of the rivals seeking for the first goal but the opponent took an advantage to snatch an essential goal and end the match at 2-0.
Syrian team defeated the Mauritanian team 4-2, the Saudi team defeated the Palestinian team 2-1, and the Algerian team beat Lebanon with two goals without a response.
Algeria will meet Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the first match in the semifinal while Syria will meet Sudan in the other semis match on Wednesday. The final match and the third/fourth play off game will take place on Friday.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
