Bishkek: Oman beat Nepal 5-0 in their final Group A match to finish second behind group winners United Arab Emirates in the AFC U-19 Championship 2018. The UAE kept their top spot in tact despite falling to a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Wednesday.
Tajikistan, UAE, Australia, Korea Republic, Japan, Vietnam and China PR are the confirmed teams so far for the Finals in Indonesia next October.
Oman are hoping to become one among the five best second-placed teams to make it to the finals along with hosts Indonesia.
In Bishek, UAE went into the match knowing they had already sealed their place in the finals in Indonesia next October, while Bahrain needed a win to pip Oman into second place in the group.
It was a goalless first half but Bahrain played with 10 men after the 31st minute when defender Khalil Ibrahim Alblooshi was sent off for a second yellow card.
Bahrain took control of the match in the second period and finally found the net in the 73rd minute, with Ali Hasan Meftah the goalscorer.
The result, however, was not enough to secure second place despite accumulating seven points like Oman, who finished runners-up thanks to a better goal difference.
Earlier, Oman were on their elements against Nepal.
Oman opened their account in the 11th minute through captain Faisal al Harthi via a brilliantly executed free-kick which gave Nepal goalkeeper Sojit no chance.
Oman doubled their advantage when Arshad Said al Alawi scored after a one-on-one opportunity with Sojit in the 32nd minute.
Al Harthi completed his double in first half added-on time, to put Oman 3-0 up at half-time.
In the second half, Oman continued to dominate as they scored two more goals.
Their goals came from Thamir al Zaabi in the 58th minute and Arshad al Alawi scored just seconds later.
Oman head coach Rasheed Jabar al Yafai said: “We had many chances to score in this game. It was a good game for us. I think our players need to learn more.”
“It was obvious today when my team had many chances, they were lost and struggled a little bit. Overall, I am happy with the results because we are the only team who scored five goals against Nepal.”
“I do not know what is going to happen in the other matches but hopefully, we will have a chance to qualify for Indonesia. Otherwise, we will have to go back and build another team and build this team for the future too.”
Nepal head coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung said: “Our players could not play good football. We gave Oman many chances and in the 10th minute, they scored. It was really a one-sided game.” — AFC
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