MUSCAT: The Oman Under-15 football team began their campaign at the uder-15 West Asian Football Championship which is underway in Salalah on a bright note as the Oman boys snatched first three points with a 1-0 win against Lebanon in the opener in Group A at Al Saada Stadium in Salalah on Monday.
Al Waleed al Buraidi scored the only goal in the match in the 53rd minute from penalty shootout to deliver a crucial triumph for junior Red Warriors in the beginning of the campaign.
In the same group, Yemen captured a 2-1 win over Iraq at Al Saada Stadium on Monday. Yemen's goals were netted by Abdul Rahman Abdul Nabi and Mohammed Shams al Deen while Iraq’s consolation goal was scored by Alaa al Helfi.
With the conclusion of the opening round of Group A matches, Yemen are leading the points table by three points with goals difference advantage compared to the hosts Sultanate of Oman who are positioned in second place with the same credit.
The 10-day tournament is taking place in Salalah under West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) umbrella in coordination with the Oman Football Association (OFA).
The Group B matches begin on Tuesday with Saudi Arabia playing against Syria while the defending champions Jordan meeting against the UAE.
Oman team, coached by Anwar al Habsi, will take on Yemen in a tight clash on Wednesday at Al Saada Stadium. The match will start at 8 pm (Oman time) while Lebanon will meet Iraq in the other match which will kick off at 5 pm. The Oman boys will look to register their second straight win and confirm their presence in the semifinals as a victory will guarantee the team’s attendance in the next stage of the tournament.
The title owner of Arab School Football Championship in Egypt will eye on reaching to the final stages of the tournament specially as it is taking place in the Sultanate of Oman. The coaching staff of the national team may depend on the same names who took part in the opening match including Suleiman al Mahrouqi, Aseel al Habsi, Firas al Saadi, Al Waleed al Buraidi, Ibrahim al Tamami and Fahad al Mashakhei among others.
In the other match, Lebanon and Iraq will target to revive their chances in the championship after both teams suffered defeats in the previous round. It will be chance for them to return back to the competition and compete on two direct tickets to the semifinals.
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