Oman rout Bahrain to set up quarter-final clash with UAE

Muscat: Former champions Oman trounced Bahrain 5-1 in their final AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 Group D match at Jomtien Beach Arena, Pattaya, on Tuesday, to secure the top spot in the group and set up an exciting quarter-final clash with the United Arab Emirates. Talib Hilal’s men will be in action for a spot in the semi-finals on Thursday.

With two wins already in the bag from previous matches against Vietnam and Malaysia respectively, Oman’s place in the knockout stages was assured before this game, but the result confirmed their position as group winners and determined their quarterfinal opponent.

The match kicked off with both teams eager to assert their dominance. Oman took the lead in the fifth minute when Sami Al Bulushi scored a stunning volley from a throw-in by Salim Oraimi.

Just before the first period ended, Oman doubled their lead when Yahya sprinted to meet a lobbed pass from captain Abdullah Masoud Salim and expertly slotted the ball past Bahrain goalkeeper Ahmed Abdulrasool.

Bahrain’s defence struggled in the second period, as Oman continued to press. Abdulrasool kept his side in the game with a series of saves, but Yahya's persistence paid off as he added two more goals, bringing the score to 4-0.

Oman’s dominance was further confirmed when Musallam Al Raimi curled a perfect right-footed free-kick past Abdulrasool, making it 5-0.

Bahrain managed to pull one back in the final moments when Husain Ali Aldoseri scored with a header, but it was a mere consolation as 2015 edition champions sealed a comfortable 5-1 victory, their third success in a row.

Bahrain, despite the defeat, advanced as one of the best runners-up and will meet defending champions Iran in their quarter-final encounter.

Iran edged past United Arab Emirates 4-3 on Tuesday to finish as the Group C winners with nine points

In other group-stage results, Thailand topped Group A with eight points, and Lebanon qualified as the runners-up. Thailand will face Saudi Arabia, who finished second in Group B after a 3-2 win over Iraq. Both the teams aim to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Three-time champions Japan topped Group B with maximum points and will face Lebanon in their quarter-final match.

The top three teams at the Asian competition qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Quarter-final fixtures: Thailand vs Saudi Arabia, Japan vs Lebanon, Iran vs Bahrain, Oman vs UAE.