Muscat: Oman’s national hockey team continued its strong run in the 2026 Asian Games Qualifier, ending its first-phase campaign with a convincing 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Field in Bangkok in Group A. The win underlined the Red Warriors’ superiority in the group after an effective attacking display, giving the side further momentum heading into the next stage of the tournament.
Kazakhstan made a better start and took the lead in the 14th minute through Duisengazy Agymtay to go 1-0 up at the end of the opening quarter. Oman, however, produced a strong response in the second quarter and quickly found the equaliser through Elyas al Noufli in the 17th minute after he met a low pass from his teammate al Baraa al Noufli and guided it into the net.
The in-form Al Noufli then struck again in the 18th minute to make it 2-1 after Oman won a penalty corner. The goalkeeper parried Rashad al Fazari’s powerful effort, but Al Noufli reacted brilliantly to turn the rebound home, giving the Red Warriors clear momentum and control.
Oman maintained their attacking pressure in the same period, and Fahad al Lawati added the third goal in the 27th minute with a shot from outside the circle that the goalkeeper could not keep out. Hazaa al Balushi then extended the advantage with the fourth goal in the 29th minute, moments after Oman had won a penalty corner. Kazakhstan, for their part, earned penalty corners in the 27th and 29th minutes, but Oman’s defence dealt with them successfully as the national team closed the second quarter with a commanding 4-1 lead.
FAHAD NAMED BEST PLAYER
In the third quarter, the Red Warriors remained in control and continued to push forward in search of more goals. Their efforts were rewarded again when Fahad al Lawati scored Oman’s fifth goal in the 35th minute, capping another strong attacking move to put the result beyond doubt. The same player was later named player of the match for his influential performance. The period also saw Kazakhstan’s Yerkebulan Dyussebekov receive a yellow card in the 42nd minute.
In the final quarter, Oman managed the match calmly and maintained their grip on proceedings until the final whistle, securing an emphatic 5-1 victory.
The result once again reflected Oman’s ability to respond strongly under pressure, having come from behind to produce another dominant win. It also gave the Red Warriors another lift after completing the first phase with a strong record and carrying their momentum confidently into the next stage of the tournament.
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