Oman return home with seven medals from Baku
On the concluded day, Fatma Al Nabhani lost her bronze medal match. However, Oman U-23 football team’s silver ensured the Omani contingent returns home with a total of seven medals
MUSCAT: Oman completed their engagements with seven medals as the curtains came down on Islamic Solidarity Games with a glittering closing ceremony in Baku, Azerbaijan on Monday.
On the concluded day of the Games, Fatma Al Nabhani failed to add to the Sultanate’s medal tally when she lost her bronze medal match to Uzbekistan’s Sabina Sharipova.
However, the performance of Oman’s under-23 football team, who settled for silver after losing Sunday’s final to hosts Azerbaijan, ensured that the Sultanate’s contingent return home with a total of seven medals, including three silver and four bronze medals.
Oman’s other medals were won by shooters Ismail Al Abri (50m pistol silver), Ismail Al Abri and Wadha Al Balushi (mixed team 10m air pistol silver), Said Al Hashmi (25m rapid fire pistol bronze), Hamed Al Khatri (50m Rifle 3 Position bronze), star sprinter Barakat Al Harthy (100m bronze) and relay team of Salad Al Ajmi, Mohammed Al Sadi, Usama Al Gheilani and Ahmed Al Sadi (4x400m bronze).
In Monday’s women’s singles bronze medal tennis match, Fatma Al Nabhani came up short against Sabina Sharipova and was beaten in straight sets by the Uzbekistan girl 6-2, 6-2.
On Sunday, Hamad Al Azzani- coached Oman under-23 football team fought well but failed to overcome the 2-0 firs-thalf lead they conceded to Azerbaijan and lost the gold medal match by a 2-1 margin.
According to the news posted on the Games official website, Mahir Madatov’s first-half brace saw Azerbaijan to a 2-1 victory over Oman. The hosts took an early lead in Baku through Madatov, before the forward pounced again in the 27th minute to put his team in total control.
Oman caused a few jitters shortly after the interval when Salah Al Yahyaei halved the deficit with a wonderful goal, but Azerbaijan held on for a famous win.
The country’s 75th gold medal of the Games’ fourth edition moved them seven clear of neighbours Turkey at the top of the overall medals table.
The home side started the better in the early stages and made their dominance count when they forged ahead in the 17th minute.
Some good work down the left-hand side from Aghabala Ramazanov resulted in Madatov finding space in the centre, and the 19-year-old, who made his senior international debut earlier this year, tapped in his first goal of the tournament from close range.