Tuesday 15 / October / 2024
MUSCAT: Hosts Jordan registered an emphatic 4-0 win over Oman in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B match at the Amman International Stadium on Tuesday.
The winners led 1-0 at halftime.
With this defeat, Oman now face a must-win game against Palestine on November 14 at home to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Yazan Al Naimat and Ali Olwan both netted braces as Jordan bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to South Korea while it was a disappointing outing for an Oman side who had impressed in their 4-0 win over Kuwait at home last Thursday.
Jordan settled quickly and broke in the seventh minute after keeper Yazeed Abulaila sent a long ball through for Al Naimat, who evaded his markers at the edge of the box but was flagged offside much to Oman’s relief.
Oman again went unpunished in the 18th minute when Harib Al Saadi’s back pass to Ahmed Al Khamisi created a chance for Mahmoud Al Mardi to break free into the box but Al Khamisi made sure his timely tackle was enough to foil the midfielder.
However, the pressure was too much for Oman as they conceded in the 26th minute after Al Mardi wriggled free from his markers on the left flank before delivering a well-timed cross for Al Naimat to score with a glancing header past keeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini.
Al Mukhaini had to be on his toes 10 minutes later, reacting quickly to deny Olwan’s curling effort from inside the six-yard-box.
Jordan survived a close shave in the 41st minute when Amjad Al Harthi sent a wonderful ball into the area for an unmarked Muhsen Al Ghassani, only for the forward to waste his effort.
Oman were left picking up the pieces four minutes into the second half after conceding a penalty following Amjad Al Harthi’s foul on Al Naimat, with Olwan sending Al Mukhaini the wrong way.
Al Naimat put the game beyond Oman’s reach in the 54th minute, combining well with Olwan following a swift attacking move to strike a low effort which took a deflection before curling past a stunned Al Mukhaini.
Olwan then showed his class in the 87th minute when he skipped past his marker to advance into the box before striking a powerful drive into the roof of the net.
[With inputs from www.the-afc.com]
