END OF THE ROAD
Oman sack coach Branko Ivankovic after crashing out of Asian Cup
Muscat - Oman sacked national team coach Branko Ivankovic after they crashed out of the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on Thursday, the Oman Football Association (OFA) announced on social media.
Oman conceded a late equaliser against Kyrgyzstan to crash out in the group phase.
Oman had promised a lot after fighting displays against Saudi Arabia and Thailand but Kyrgyzstan’s Joel Kojo found the net late in the game to dash Oman’s hopes.
With Kyrgyzstan also failing to advance, Indonesia advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best four third-placed finishers.
Needing a win to confirm their knockout stage spot, Oman settled quickly and went ahead in the eighth minute through Muhsen al Ghassani.
Kyrgyz Republic goalkeeper Erzhan Tokotaev could only parry Jameel Al Yahmadi's freekick, with Al Ghassani taking advantage of the ensuing chaos to slot the ball home.
Boosted by the goal, Oman took a firm grip on proceedings with Kyrgyz Republic having to work hard to not concede again.
The Central Asian side, however, should have equalised in the 27th minute when Gulzhigit Alykulov set up Farkhat Mus
abekov, only for the unmarked midfielder to send his shot high over the crossbar.
The White Falcons survived another scare just before the break when Oman came close to doubling their lead through Ahmed Al Kaabi’s free-kick but the attempt was cleared by Kyrgyz custodian Tokotaev.
Kyrgyz Republic started the second half with more determination and thought they had restored parity when substitute Beknaz Almazbekov’s cross into the penalty box was neatly headed into the back of the net by forward Kojo, only to have it overturned by the VAR.
Oman responded with an effort of their own, Salaah al Yahyaei sprinting down the left flank before presenting Ghassani with an opportunity but the Al Seeb defender was too slow to
react, allowing Tamirlan Kozubaev to hook the ball to safety. Oman ramped up the pressure with Abdul Rahman Al Mushaifri and Arshad Al Alawi both having efforts but it was Kyrgyzstan who found the back of the net in the 80th minute, Kojo taking advantage of a defensive misunderstanding to net the equaliser.
Ivankovic expressed regret over Oman's missed opportunities.
“Unfortunately, we did not achieve the desired result, which was victory and qualification. We were the better team for most of the match, and had many opportunities, but we did not exploit them well,” said the head coach.
“Mistakes happen in football and despite predominantly being in control, we ended up conceding because of miscommunication in the final third.”
Unfortunately, we did not achieve the desired result, which was victory and qualification. We were the better team for most of the match, and had many opportunities BRANKO IVANKOVIC