Muscat: The Oman national Under-17 team has put itself in a difficult position in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, after falling to Myanmar 2–0 on Friday at Thuwunna National Stadium in the fourth round of Group 7.
The result sent the hosts to the top of the group with 9 points, while Oman dropped to second place with 6 points — level with Syria, who also have 6 points but remain behind Oman on goal difference. Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Nepal stay at the bottom without any points.
Oman now face one last decisive match in their qualification journey, meeting Afghanistan next Sunday at 4:30 pm (Oman time) at Thuwunna National Stadium — a match where nothing but a win will keep their hopes alive, while waiting for the final group results.
Oman U17 did not deliver the expected level in the first half. The game was mostly confined to midfield, marked by defensive organisation from both teams and a lack of clear attacking patterns.
The young Reds struggled to build play from the back and appeared disjointed between the defensive, midfield and attacking lines. Striker Turki al Ghassani found himself isolated up front, with no vertical passes and little support from the wings.
Myanmar came close in the 26th minute with a powerful shot that Abdullah al Zaabi saved brilliantly. Oman posed no major threat, except for a harmless free kick taken by Abdullah al Saadi. Myanmar also had a goal disallowed for offside five minutes before half-time. The first half ended goalless.
LACKING IDEAS
Myanmar began the second half more organised and eager to score, while Oman looked unsettled and lacked attacking ideas. The hosts showed greater courage in pushing forward and creating chances, while Oman remained deep in their own half without effective pressing.
Myanmar nearly opened the scoring early in the second half from a dangerous free kick in the 45th minute, but the ball went just wide. Their pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute with a powerful strike that found the back of the net.
Just four minutes later, Myanmar doubled their lead with a header inside the box, capitalising on poor defensive positioning from Oman.
Oman attempted to fight back in the final minutes, with Bashar al Shamsi unleashing a strong shot in the 90+3 minute that went narrowly wide. Despite a slight improvement in attacking flow, the decisive finish was missing, while Myanmar tightened their defence and blocked all attempts of a comeback.
Oman’s challenge worsened after Bashar al Shamsi was sent off moments before the final whistle for a rough challenge in midfield. The referee ended the match shortly after, confirming Myanmar’s 2–0 victory.
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