Oman U17s fall to UAE in Gulf Cup opener

MUSCAT, SEPT 22

The Oman national under-17 football team lost its opening match in the Gulf Cup of Nations, currently being held in Qatar, falling 1–0 to the UAE in the Group A opener at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium.

The early minutes saw both sides play cautiously, exchanging possession without posing any real threats on goal. Oman’s first chance came in the seventh minute through Bashar al Shamsi, who dribbled past defenders and unleashed a strong shot that hit the side netting. Three minutes later, Saad al Maamari fired a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar.

Oman created more attempts, including a corner in the 32nd minute and a free-kick from Mohammed al Jabri that was ruled offside. Toward the end of the first half, Abdullah al Saadi almost broke the deadlock in stoppage time, but the Emirati defence intervened, leaving the score 0–0 at halftime.

Oman entered the second half strongly and almost opened the scoring in the 48th minute through Bashar al Shamsi, but UAE goalkeeper Jassim al Hammadi made a brilliant save. Oman continued their attempts, with Mohammed al Jabri missing a clear chance with a header that went wide in the 68th minute.

Meanwhile, the UAE relied on crosses and corner kicks until they finally opened the scoring in the 74th minute through Hamad Freij, who capitalised on a perfect cross from Butti al Junaibi and slotted the ball home from close range. The UAE almost added a second goal through Mohammed Balari in the 88th minute, but his shot went over the bar.

Oman pressed hard in the final minutes in search of an equaliser, and their most notable chance came from substitute Sultan al Jadidi in the second minute of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jassim al Hammadi made a firm save. The UAE goalkeeper also made a last-ditch save before the final whistle, allowing the UAE to emerge victorious 1-0.

In the same group, Qatar defeated Yemen 1–0 at Hamad Al Kabir Stadium, thanks to a goal from Faisal Arhabin. This result left both the UAE and Qatar with three points each, while Oman and Yemen remained without points.

In Group B, Saudi Arabia cruised past Bahrain 4–0, while Kuwait and Iraq played out a 1–1 draw.