Oman begin campaign with victory
KUALA TERENGGANU: Defending champions Oman began their 2017 AFC Beach Soccer Championship in Group B on a positive note after a 3-2 come-back win over Thailand in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia on Monday.
In their next match, Oman take on Lebanon on Wednesday.
It was an even contest during the opening phase of the game but it was Thailand who opened their account in great fashion as a Komkrit Nanan scissors kick found the Omanis’ net on six minutes.
Jullawan Pinkaew then had a chance shortly after to double their lead but his close-range header dangerously hit the post before the first period ended.
Come the second period, Khalid Al Oraimi almost equalised but his bicycle kick flew high after a rebound from Mandhar al Raimi’s strong header.
Nooh al Zadjali also came close in Oman’s desperate quest for the equaliser but his strike from a distance hit the bar as the second period ended without a goal scored.
Pinkaew was again the Thais’ hero as his header in a one-onone encounter with Haitham Showan in front of goal bounced off the keeper and into the net to notch Thailand’s second.
Oman finally scored their first goal on the 29th minute thanks to Al Oraimi before Yahya Al Araimi evened the scores with their second only a minute later.
Oman then took over the lead as Al Oraimi scored his second and his side’s eventual winner with a minute remaining to give the Omanis their last-minute win.
The top three finishers at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship will represent Asia at the 2017 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in in Nassau, Bahamas from April 27 to May 7.