BAMBOLIM/ FATORDA: Arshad Al Alawi’s stoppage time goal ensured Oman topped Group C and progressed to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 along with Thursday’s opponents Iraq in dramatic circumstances after a 1-1 draw.
Korea Republic had edged ahead of Oman on goals scored – thanks to their 3-0 lead over Malaysia in the group’s other tie played simultaneously at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – as the game at GMC Stadium entered its dying minutes.
And Oman, who began the tie on top of Group C, had faced elimination after Mohammed Dawood’s first half opener for Iraq.
But just as it looked like time was running out for the team from the Sultanate, Al Alawi broke into the area to fire home and flip the script on its head and send Oman back to the top of the group ahead of Iraq on goal difference with Korea Republic, who moments earlier had been through to the quarter-finals, eliminated from the competition.
With a draw enough for both teams to progress to the knockout stages irrespective of the result in Group C’s other tie, the first half-hour saw few clear-cut chances for either side.
Nevertheless, it was Iraq who took the lead with eight minutes remaining before the break.
Ali Ahmed’s long ball over the top saw Oman goalkeeper Yousuf Al Sheyadi and his defenders hesitate and allow Alaa Adnan to nip in and push the ball past the exposed custodian, where the overlapping Dawood was on hand to slot home into the empty net.
Stung at conceding their first goal of the tournament, Oman looked to respond and Yousuf Al Malki’s free-kick from 25-yards out had Iraq ‘keeper Ali Ibadi stretching, but the ball curled narrowly over the crossbar and landed on the top of the net.
With Korea Republic leading against Malaysia at the interval, Oman needed at least another goal to ensure their place in the last eight and just five minutes into the second period, Thamir Al Zaabi drilled inches wide from the edge of the penalty area after he chested down a high pass from Al Alawi.
Oman continued to dictate play in the second period and with 18 minutes remaining the ball fell to Mohammed Al Qaidi inside the penalty area, but a heavy first touch from the substitute saw him forced to take on the shot at an angle and he directed his shot into the side-netting.
And Al Qaidi had a chance barely a minute later from a similar position but this time he steered his shot wide of the opposite post.
