Muscat: Oman’s head coach Rasheed Jaber expressed his satisfaction following his team's vital 2-1 win against Asian champions Qatar in a Group A match of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup held in Kuwait on Tuesday.
This victory places Oman on the verge of reaching the semi-finals, and Jaber promptly acknowledged the determination displayed by his players.
“We secured a significant and challenging win that we desperately needed, especially against a formidable opponent with talented players who have been champions of the Asian Cup in the last two editions,” Jaber remarked.
He praised his players for their contributions on both ends of the pitch. “The Oman players put forth an exceptional effort in this match, effectively capitalizing on the scoring opportunities presented to them,” the coach noted.
Jaber highlighted the importance of this win as Oman gears up for their upcoming match against the UAE on Friday.
“This was a crucial and hard-fought victory against a strong team. Our players executed their responsibilities excellently to earn these essential three points,” he stated.
“This win will enhance Oman’s confidence as we strive for a place in the semi-finals.”
The outcome leaves Qatar in a position where they must win their final group-stage match against Kuwait. Qatar’s coach Luis Garcia expressed his disappointment with the result but remained optimistic about their future matches.
“We started well with an early goal but then lost our momentum. In the second half, we had multiple opportunities but were unfortunate not to equalize,” Garcia commented.
“I believe the players did what was required of them and should not be blamed for the defeat.”
Garcia emphasized the need to rectify mistakes ahead of Qatar’s next game.
Kuwait secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against the UAE on Tuesday night at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, keeping their semifinal aspirations alive. The UAE initially took control of the match, with Kayo Kanido finding the net just five minutes into the game. A perfectly timed long ball allowed Kanido to chip the ball over Kuwaiti goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi, giving the UAE a 1-0 advantage.
Kuwait quickly responded, as Muhammad Dham took advantage of a defensive error by UAE’s Khalifa Al Hamadi. Dham intercepted a weak clearance and scored, bringing the match to a 1-1 draw.
In the second half, the UAE faced significant pressure as they were reduced to ten men after Kwamii Oton received a second yellow card in the 87th minute. As the match neared its conclusion, Khalifa Al Hamadi made another critical mistake by misplaying a pass intended for the goalkeeper.
Kuwaiti substitute Maaz Al Essaimi seized the opportunity, bypassing the goalkeeper to net the decisive goal in the dying moments of the game. This victory marked Kuwait’s first win in the tournament, following a 1-1 draw against Oman in their opening match.
With both Oman and Kuwait securing victories, the group stage is set for an exciting finish on Friday. Both teams require only a draw in their final matches to progress to the semifinals. Oman, who were runners-up in the previous edition held in Basra, Iraq, will take on the UAE at Jaber Al Mubarak Stadium, while Kuwait faces Qatar at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium. Both teams currently sit at the top of the group with four points each, and a draw in either match will guarantee their advancement to the next round.
