Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Oman advanced to the semi-finals of the 2014 Gulf Cup on Thursday after recording a resounding 5-0 win over ten-time champions Kuwait at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
In what proved to be a significant warning of how much of a threat they could be at next January’s AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia, Oman powered past their opponents – who had entered the day’s matches leading the table – to finish top of Group B.
The Omanis edged ahead in the 44th minute when Ali Al Busaidi played a brilliant 40-yard pass in behind the Kuwait defence to find Abdulaziz Al Muqbali, who proceeded to send an emphatic finish past Nawaf Al Khaldi.
On the stroke of half-time, they doubled their lead as Said Al Ruzaiqi was left with a simple tap-in from five yards out, after Al Khaldi had parried a low cross straight into his path.
A third goal arrived for Oman three minutes after the restart when more poor defending allowed Al Ruzaiqi latch onto Saad Al Mukhaini’s right-wing cross and send a volley into the back of the net.
By now, the Kuwaitis’ hopes were hanging by a thread but worse was to follow in the 59th minute when Al Khaldi inexplicably charged out of his box but completely missed his attempt to clear Ali Al Habsi’s hopeful punt forward; the ball eventually breaking to Al Ruzaiqi who made no mistake in firing into the unguarded net for his hat-trick.
And in the 90th minute, the rout was completed when Al Muqbali headed home another excellent delivery by Al Busaidi to cap off an outstanding display from his side.
Oman will now face Qatar in Sunday’s semi-finals, while the other last-four clash sees hosts Saudi Arabia take on United Arab Emirates.