Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Having missed out on qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in their final game against Kuwait, Oman were looking to return to Asia’s biggest football tournament in 2015.
For the qualifiers, the Omanis were drawn in qualification Group A where they would line up against an evenly matched Jordan team as well as Singapore and Syria.
When the action got underway in February 2013, Paul Le Guen’s men got off to the best start possible courtesy of a 1-0 win over Syria with striker Abdulaziz Al Muqbali’s 39th minute goal earning his side the three points.
They then travelled to Singapore where they claimed a 2-0 win with Al Nasr based winger Qasim Said getting the opener before Eid Al Farsi sealed the win with a goal of his own.
The win moved Oman to the top of the group, two points ahead of Jordan and already five and six points ahead of Syria and Singapore respectively.
Le Guen’s men faced their toughest task of the qualifiers however when they headed to Jordan knowing that a win would open a five-point advantage over their rivals.
A scoreless draw duly resulted, leaving Oman well on their way to claiming a spot at their third AFC Asian Cup at the halfway mark of the qualifiers.
Following a break for the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations, where they disappointingly finished last in their group, Oman secured an injury-time winner away at Syria to guarantee themselves a spot at the 2015 tournament with two qualifiers remaining.
A 0-0 draw with Jordan and a 3-0 victory over Singapore, both at home in Muscat, ensured that Oman finished undefeated with four wins and two draws to see them claim top spot in Group A.
The draw for the main event was not that kind to Oman however, pitting them against host nation Australia, Korea Republic and Kuwait as they aim to get out of the AFC Asian Cup group stage for the first time.
Oman’s Asian Cup history
Tournament appearances: 2 (2004, 2007)
2011 performance: DNQ
Games played: 6 (1 win, 3 draws, 2 losses)