MUSCAT: Oman under-17 football team suffered a shock 1-0 loss against Kuwait on Friday at Al Nahyan Stadium in Al Wahda club in Abu Dhabi at the Gulf Youth Games. The national junior players excelled with an outstanding technical performance but Kuwait’s Fawaz al Dawood scored the winner in the 65th minute to deliver a crucial three points to his team. Kuwait lead the table by six points from two games after they defeated Bahrain in the opening game. Oman has three points following its triumph against the hosts UAE in the opener by 2-1. UAE thrashed Bahrain in an early match by 6-1. The victory meant the hosts captured their first three points in the event.
Oman team, coached by the national head coach Anwar al Habsi, will eye on three points in the crucial clash against Bahrain on Monday. Oman’s chances to claim the gold medal are not guaranteed after the defeat against Kuwait but other matches in the concluding round will help the junior Red Warriors.
Oman colts made remarkable performance during the both halves but without reaching to the net of the opponent. Oman’s players were very organized on the pitch and dominated the game. Ahmed al Omrani missed two scoring attempts in the first half as he sent a strong ball and then continued the ball with a header that touched the bar. Kuwait’s presence in the first half was very few as the only actual attempt came by Masfar al Awini. The first half ended at a goalless draw.
Oman began the second half with more focus to break the deadlock. Ahmed al Omrani worked very hard to ward off Kuwait’s defending line and the goalie behind them. He managed to score a goal but it was cancelled due to offside. From a defending mistake by Al Waleed al Buraidi, Kuwait’s Fawaz al Dawood managed to open the scoring in the match.
Later on, Oman’s players including Ahmed al Omrani and Mohammed al Mashakhi pressed hard to score but all their attempts did not find the target. Coach Anwar al Habsi made many substitutions to allow new faces but Kuwait’s defending line and the goalie’s activeness broke all Oman’s chances to score the equaliser as the match ended for Kuwait at 1-0.
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