Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Espinho: Oman’s hopes of reaching the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup quarter-finals were dashed on Saturday following their 4-2 Group B defeat to Italy and Switzerland’s subsequent victory over Costa Rica.
The loss, their second of the tournament following Thursday’s 5-2 reversal at the hands of Switzerland, left Oman knowing that a win or a draw for the Swiss would be enough to ensure Asia’s reigning champions could not progress to the last eight.
Switzerland duly beat Costa Rica 4-3 to seal their place in the quarters along with Italy, and leave Oman with only pride to play for in their last group game against Costa Rica.
Despite their eventual capitulation, it was Oman who opened the scoring at the Espinho Stadium, Yahya Al Araimi putting Talib Al Thanawi’s side ahead in the eighth minute.
However, goals in quick succession from Simone Marinai and Emmanuele Zurlo dampened the early Omani optimism and handed Italy the advantage going into the second period.
Gabriele Gori then compounded Oman’s consternation with a neatly taken effort in the 19th minute, before Khalid Al Oraimi reduced the deficit some three minutes later to once again raise Omani hopes.
With Oman pressing for a vital equaliser, it was Italy who duly found the match’s final goal, Zurlo finding the net with a superb overhead kick to bag himself a brace and leave Oman with a nervous wait.
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