MUSCAT, DEC 3
Oman head coach Carlos Queiroz voiced strong frustration over the refereeing decisions that overshadowed the national team's opening Group B clash in the Fifa Arab Cup on Tuesday night. The Red Warriors fell 2-1 to Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium in Doha, a result that Queiroz firmly believed was influenced by crucial officiating errors made by Jordan’s referee Adham Makhadmeh.
With the defeat, Oman did not obtain any points, while Saudi Arabia started in a strong position ahead of their second match against Comoros on Friday. Oman will face a difficult challenge as they prepare to meet group leaders Morocco on Friday night. Morocco defeated Comoros 3-1 in their opening match and top the group on goal difference over Saudi Arabia.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Queiroz did not hide his disappointment: “I congratulate Saudi Arabia as they played well and won the match. However, football must be fair. How can a referee witness a clear red-card incident and fail to penalise the player? This is not acceptable,” Queiroz said.
“Everyone works very hard including players, staff and the federation and these efforts cannot be destroyed by refereeing mistakes. The second goal was controversial and should not have stood. The referee ignored the Saudi player’s interruption against the Omani player and they took the advantage to score from an attacking attempt to score the second goal.”
“The team had shown spirit and discipline despite the challenges. We did everything we could to win. It is difficult when decisions go against you, but my players were honest and committed.”
During the match, Saudi Arabia players began the encounter with high intensity, applying early pressure and seeking to control possession. Salim al Dawsari created the first scoring attempt in the match after a cross supplied by Nawaf Bashawel in the sixth minute.
Oman produced the first major opportunity in the 16th minute as Ali al Busaidy delivered a well-measured free kick into the box but Thani al Rushaidi could not connect with his header attempt despite being in a promising position. Although the Green Falcons moved the ball quickly in transition, they lacked sharpness in the final third, with Mohamed Kanno and Saleh Abu al Shamat struggling to make the breakthrough.
Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini was called into action in the 34th minute, blocking a powerful shot from Kanno before reacting swiftly again to smother Abu al Shamat’s low effort moments later. At the start of the second half, Jameel al Yahmadi was introduced to replace Musab al Maamari by coach Queiroz. Yousef al Malki did not take the advantage of the scoring attempt in the 46th minute while Ali al Busaidy nearly surprised goalkeeper Nawaf al Aqidi with a curling free-kick towards the far corner, but Al Aqidi managed to turn it away.
BREAKTHROUGH
Saudi Arabia, however, finally broke through in the 55th minute when Salim al Dawsari lifted an accurate cross into the area, allowing Feras al Burikan to glance a header into the bottom corner. Oman responded with determination. Ahed al Mashaikhi fired a fierce shot from long range in the 69th minute, forcing Al Aqidi into another save.
Their persistence paid off two minutes later when Ghanim al Habashi flicked on a corner, and Thani al Rushaidi reacted quickly to head the ball into the net for the equaliser.
Saudi Arabia regained the lead in the 77th minute as Musab al Juwayr threaded an incisive pass behind the Oman backline, freeing Al Dawsari, who squared the ball for Saleh al Shehri to finish clinically.
In the closing minutes, another clever Al Juwayr pass split the defence, with Abdulrahman al Sanbi setting up Al Dawsari, whose effort crashed off the crossbar.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
