Muscat: Oman’s national hockey team reached the final of the 2026 Asian Games Qualifier after defeating Uzbekistan 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out, following a 4-4 draw in regulation time in a dramatic semifinal at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Field in Bangkok.
The Red Warriors made a strong start and managed to impose themselves early, with Fahad al Lawati opening the scoring in the 14th minute of the first quarter. Oman had also earned two penalty corners in that period and finished the opening quarter with a 1-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Oman maintained their attacking presence and added a second goal in the 19th minute through Aiman Faraj Madit, who took advantage of a defensive mistake by Uzbekistan and calmly placed the ball into the net. Uzbekistan, however, responded strongly, reducing the deficit through Khakimboy Khakimboy in the 23rd minute. Doston Sotlikov then equalised in the 25th minute before Jamshidbek Komilov scored Uzbekistan’s third goal in the 28th minute, giving the opponents a 3-2 lead by the end of the second quarter.
At the start of the third quarter, Uzbekistan continued their pressure and made use of a penalty corner to add a fourth goal through Khakimboy Khakimboy in the 36th minute, making it 4-2 at a stage when the opponents looked to be moving towards victory. Oman, however, showed strong character and refused to surrender, pulling one back in the 39th minute when Mohammed al Noufli scored from a penalty corner to keep the Red Warriors firmly in the contest heading into the final quarter.
BRILLIANT COMEBACK
In the fourth quarter, Oman increased their attacking pressure and continued to search for an equaliser, while Uzbekistan clearly dropped deeper to protect their lead. As the match approached its closing stages, the Red Warriors earned a penalty corner which Hazaa al Balushi converted in the 57th minute to level the score and ignite the contest once again.
Oman continued to push in the closing moments and won three successive penalty corners in the 59th minute, but the score remained level until the final whistle. The closing stages also saw clear tension in the Uzbek camp, with three players receiving yellow cards between the 59th and 60th minutes.
The match then went to a penalty shoot-out, where Oman prevailed 5-4. Aiman Faraj Madit, Alkhooder al Noufali, Mohammed al Noufali and Rashad al Fazari all converted for Oman before Madit returned to score the decisive final attempt. Rashad al Fazari and Elias al Noufli, however, were both denied in two of Oman’s attempts during the shoot-out.
This qualification carries great value for Oman, not only because it sent the team into the final, but also because it came after a powerful comeback from 4-2 down, underlining the Red Warriors’ mental strength and ability to handle the most difficult situations. The victory also gives Oman a major morale boost ahead of the final after one of the most dramatic and eventful matches of the tournament.
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