Oman U17s Beat Qatar but Bow Out of Gulf Cup

MUSCAT, OCT 26

Oman’s national under-17 football team registered their first victory at the Gulf Cup U17 Qatar 2026 with a 2-0 win over hosts Qatar at Grand Hamad Stadium on Sunday, but the result was not enough to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Goals from Abdullah al Farsi and Al Hussein al Ajmi secured a deserved three points for the young Red Warriors after successive 2-1 defeats to China and the UAE in their opening two Group A fixtures.

Elsewhere, the UAE’s 1-0 victory over China effectively ended Oman’s hopes of progressing regardless of the result in their remaining match.

The UAE moved to the top of the group with nine points, followed by China on seven and Bahrain on four. Oman are fourth with three points, while Qatar remain bottom without a point.

Oman will conclude their campaign against Bahrain at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium on Wednesday at 6:45 pm Oman time. Qatar and the UAE will meet simultaneously at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium.

Against Qatar, Oman showed greater attacking purpose from the opening minutes and created their first clear opportunity in the sixth minute when Al Farsi met a delivery from the left but sent his effort wide.

The young Red Warriors secured their first win of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar.

Abdulrahman al Hashmi then tried his luck from distance before Oman found the breakthrough in the 24th minute.

Al Farsi produced a fine individual move, driving past the Qatari defence before firing a powerful left-footed effort into the net to give Oman a deserved advantage.

Qatar attempted to respond and Ali Yousuf forced goalkeeper Abdullah al Zaabi into an important save three minutes later. Omar Ayman also threatened before the interval, but Oman remained disciplined to take their 1-0 lead into half-time.

The hosts pushed further forward after the restart, looking for an equaliser, but Oman’s defence and Al Zaabi dealt effectively with the pressure.

Oman then doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute. Hood al Balushi delivered from the right and Al Hussein al Ajmi met the cross with a well-directed header to make it 2-0.

The young Red Warriors continued to threaten and came close to adding a third from a corner in the 73rd minute, only for Qatar goalkeeper Ali Ismail to intervene.

Oman comfortably managed the closing stages to secure their first clean sheet and first victory of the tournament.

Despite their elimination, Wednesday’s meeting with Bahrain offers Ahmed bin Salim Bait Said’s side another competitive test before attention shifts to the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers in Salalah in November.