Oman over draw disappointment

Oman were seconds away from an opening win only to see substitute Ahmad Al Douni's header five minutes into stoppage-time cancel out Al Hadhri's first-half penalty.

It was a particularly frustrating match for Oman as they created numerous chances in the second-half to put the game beyond the Syrians, who had striker Omar Al Suma sent-off during the interval for violent conduct.

"It was a very difficult match. We deserved to win but missed quite a few chances," Al Hadhri told the Oman Daily Observer following a training session on Monday.

"But we are putting that disappointment behind us. The concentration is now on our next match against Uzbekistan.

"Though we are disappointed with the draw, we are not mentally down. In fact, all my team-mates are in good spirits. That is very important for us.

"Uzbekistan are a very strong side. We have played a couple of friendlies against them in the recent times, including one in Uzbekistan which ended in a draw. So we know their players and their game. So we will be ready for them and give our best against the Uzbeks."

Al Hadhri's penalty at the My Dinh Stadium - which was awarded after he himself was tripped in the box by Solaiman Solaiman - was his eighth goal of an impressive Olympic qualifying campaign but with the 21-year-old striker out of sorts against the Syrians the question whether the pressure of the occasion was getting to the recently appointed skipper.

"I am not under any pressure in leading the team. I am a team player and I am trying to give my best and get the best out my team-mates," said Al Hadhri, who was appointed captain when Paul LeGuen took over the managerial reins of the Olympic team from Hamad Al Azani after Oman's preliminary round three defeat to Korea Republic.

"There is no pressure on me as I still consider Mansoor al Naimi as my captain. But the coach picked me for the job and I am happy about it."

Photo: WSG