Monday 16 / September / 2024
Muscat: Oman remain in the hunt to pip Iran to top spot in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifiers after being made to work for a 1-0 win over a brave Guam outfit on Thursday.
Following a goalless first half at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the breakthrough finally arrived for the hosts when Ahmed Mubarak capitalised at a goalmouth scramble to net what ultimately proved to be the winner.
However, they were made to endure a nervy finish as Guam belied their underdogs status by displaying tremendous endeavour and were unlucky not to force what would have been a remarkable draw.
As expected, Oman enjoyed the dominant share of possession from the opening whistle but, whenever they had the ball, the visitors showed that they were not content to just sit back as they pushed forward at every opportunity.
Jason Cunliffe was looking lively for the Matao while Travis Nicklaw was making a real nuisance of himself in the opposition penalty box, although it was Oman who had the best chance of the opening 45.
Having been picked out inside the box from a freekick, Abdulaziz Al Muqbali did well to keep his composure and create space for himself only to scoop his volley over the bar with only Doug Herrick to beat.
Nonetheless, Al Ahmar made no mistake with their first real opportunity after halftime when, after Herrick had spilled a shot, Qasim Said unselfishly laid the ball back to Mubarak, who slid in and got enough on his shot to guide it into the back of the net.
While falling behind after such a spirited display would have been a blow to most teams, Guam refused to be deterred and increased their efforts in search of an equaliser.
Nicklaw threatened with a long-range effort in the 69th minute before substitute Marcus Lopez came excruciatingly close eight minutes from time, but he could only watch on in despair as his shot hit the post after beating Ali Al Habsi.
In the end, it was not to be for them as Oman held on for a win which keeps them three points behind Group D leaders Iran, ahead of their meeting in Tehran next week.
The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.
Iran on cruise
Ehsan Haji Safi scored from the penalty spot in each half as Iran consolidated their position at the top of Group D.
The home side dominated the contest as the Group D frontrunners met the side that sits at the football of the five-team table, with Haji Safi, who plays his club football in Germany with second division side FSV Frankfurt, breaking the deadlock with a 33rd minute penalty, awarded after Alireza Jahanbakhsh had been fouled inside the area by Bikash Jairu.
After spurning a glorious opportunity to double Iran’s advantage early in the second half, Sardar Azmoun did make it 2-0 to Team Melli shortly after the hour mark when the prolific 21-year-old netted his fifth of the qualifiers before the influential Haji Safi scored his second from the spot five minutes later.
And with 12 minutes left to play Jahanbakhsh - who was the 2014/15 player of the season in Dutch football’s second tier Eerste Divisie prior to his move from NEC to AZ Alkmaar — scored Iran's fourth and final goal, with the talented 22-year-old winger slotting home after weaving his way through a tiring India defence.
With second-place Oman following up Iran’s victory with a narrow 1-0 win over Guam in Thursday’s other Group D fixture, the three point gap between the top two sides remains ahead of their meeting at the Azadi Stadium the final round of matches on Tuesday. - AFC
