Oman exit Arab Beach Soccer Cup after shoot-out defeats

MUSCAT, NOV 7

Oman bowed out of the Arab Beach Soccer Cup after suffering a second successive penalty shoot-out defeat, losing 4-2 to Morocco following a 5-5 draw after extra time in their final Group B match in Port Said, Egypt, on Saturday.

The result followed Friday’s equally dramatic encounter against Lebanon, which also finished 5-5 after extra time before Oman lost 3-2 on penalties.

Lebanon claimed the group’s remaining semifinal berth after defeating Libya 7-5 in extra time. Oman and Lebanon finished level on three points, with the Lebanese advancing through their victory in the head-to-head encounter. Morocco topped the group, while Libya finished without a point.

Against Morocco, Oman repeatedly threatened to secure the victory they needed, establishing a 3-1 advantage and subsequently leading 4-3 and 5-4, only to be pegged back each time.

Badr El Kraichly opened the scoring for Morocco with a long-range strike eight minutes into the first period. Yahya al Muraiki responded almost immediately, ensuring the teams reached the first interval level at 1-1.

Oman seized the initiative early in the second period. Salim al Oraimi capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to put his side ahead, before Fahad al Mashaikhi quickly added a third.

Morocco recovered with two consecutive goals, but Sami al Balushi restored Oman’s advantage with an overhead kick. Goalkeeper Younis al Owaisi then made several important saves to preserve a 4-3 lead at the second interval.

Driss Ghannam brought Morocco level from the penalty spot five minutes into the final period. Al Balushi struck again from a direct free-kick with four minutes remaining, putting Oman within sight of victory, but Morocco found another equaliser to force extra time.

Neither side could break the deadlock during the additional three minutes, and Morocco prevailed in the shoot-out.

SIMILAR RESULT

Oman had endured similar disappointment against Lebanon a day earlier despite recovering from a two-goal deficit late in the match.

Goalkeeper Majid al Afari’s powerful strike cancelled out Ahmad Hamed’s opener to leave the first period tied at 1-1. Mohammad al Saleh restored Lebanon’s lead early in the second period, and although Mushel al Araimi equalised, Al Saleh struck again to make it 3-2.

Al Muraiki brought Oman level in the third period before Al Saleh completed his hat-trick and Hamed added his second, putting Lebanon 5-3 ahead.

Al Mashaikhi reduced the deficit, and Musallam al Araimi converted a penalty to complete Oman’s comeback. A goalless extra-time period followed before Lebanon won the shoot-out.

Having opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Libya, Oman finished third in the group, ending their hopes of improving on their runners-up finish in 2023.