MUSCAT: Oman beach soccer team was crowned as champions of the Oman International beach soccer tournament after defeating Saudi Arabia 6-4 in the final on Monday.
At the sand court in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Oman team heroes ended the friendly event on a shining note ahead of their major assignment in the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 in the UAE from February 15 to 25. Oman’s Khalid al Oraimi was the star of the game as he netted a hat-trick while other goals were struck by Said al Farsi, Nouh al Zadjali and Abdullah al Souti.
Oman began their campaign in the three-team International beach soccer tourney with a 4-1 thumping of Egypt on Thursday. Oman's goals were scored by Musallam al Oraimi, Abdullah al Souti, Munthir al Oraimi and Salim al Oraimi. It was the first victory for Oman against Egypt after three defeats from the African nation in the previous year. The African opponent ended all the clashes in 2023 on a winning note as they won two matches in Arab Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in last May with a 7-1 and 5-3 wins before beating Oman in the second CIS Games in Belarus in August with 6-3 win.
In another match, Egypt edged Saudi Arabia 6-5 in a tight clash on Saturday. The international tournament witnessed participation of three teams including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and hosts Sultanate of Oman. The warm-up event is part of the team’s technical preparation towards the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup 2024 in the UAE from February 15 to 25. Italy team was in Muscat for an external camp ahead of their attendance in the World Cup event in Dubai.
Oman, winners of AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup in 2015, outclassed Italy twice in the friendly matches. Oman won 5-4 in the first game. The hosts' goals were registered by Salim al Oraimi, Al Yaqadhan al Hindasi, Yahya al Murkhi and Abdullah al Souti. In the second game, Oman edged Italy 3-2 after a thrilling game. Yahya al Murkhi scored two goals besides one goal by Al Yaqadhan al Hindasi.
Registering triumphs against Italy, who ended as runners-up in World Cup 2019, was great encouragement and positive indication that Oman team heroes are in full shape ahead of the global assignment.
Egypt and Italy will vie for securing tickets to the next round as they will compete against World Cup hosts United Arab Emirates and USA in Group A. Debutants Colombia will compete against Belarus, Japan and Senegal in Group C. Argentina, Iran, Spain and Tahiti will comprise Group B which is ranked as one of the tight groups. Oman, coached by the long-serving head coach Talib Hilal, will face record five-time champions Brazil, Portugal, winners of 2015 and 2019, and Mexico in Group D.
In the World Cup, Oman will commence their campaign with a tough encounter against the world champions Brazil on February 16. The match will start at 21:00 (Oman time). Next, Oman will take on Mexico on February 16 at 15:30. In the concluding match of the group stage, Oman will face former champions Portugal on February 20 and the match will kick off at 17:00. The top two teams from each group will move to quarterfinals on February 22 while semifinals will take place on February 24. The third and fourth play-off and the final are scheduled for February 25.
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