AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers: Oman 14-0 Bhutan

Khalid Al Hajri also scored four for the hosts at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, with Ahmed Mubarak, Mohsin Jouhar, Nader Awadh and an own goal from Bhutan’s Biren Basnet completing the scoring for Oman.

Oman, who finished second in the previous round of qualifiers behind Islamic Republic of Iran, made a flying start as Mubarak’s long pass found Al Maqbali and the striker fired past Bhutan goalkeeper Hari Gurung from a tight angle.

The home side, though, had to wait until the 26th minute to add a second as Mubarak fired past Hari Gurung following good work from Jameel Al Yahmadi.

But that kickstarted a run of five goals in the final quarter of an hour of the first half as Jouhar first beat Hari Gurung with a shot from outside of the penalty area after 31 minutes before Al Maqbali grabbed his second of the night five minutes later with a header.

And Al Maqbali completed his hat-trick four minutes before half-time with another header after Raed Saleh had helped on Saad Al Mukhaini’s cross.

Al Mukhaini was again involved two minutes later as his low cross was converted by Al Maqbali before Awadh headed home in the last minute of the first half from Jouhar’s cross.

Oman added an eighth 10 minutes into the second half as Awadh’s shot from Ali Al Busaidi’s cross was deflected into his own net by Biren Basnet.

Another Al Mukhaini cross in the 69th minute saw Al Maqbali extended the lead with a header, with substitute Al Hajri adding his name to the scoresheet a minute later from a Jouhar pass.

​Al Maqbali then turned provider with 13 minutes remaining for Al Hajri to score from close range, before the striker claimed his sixth of the night nine minutes later as the substitute repaid the favour with a back heel assist from Al Mukhaini’s cross.

Al Hajri completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the first minute of stoppage time before completing the scoring a minute later by firing home from outside of the area.