JEDDAH, 7 January 2004 — Saudi Arabia, more or less, inscribed their name in the 16th Gulf Cup Soccer Championships trophy with a key 2-1 victory over Oman in Kuwait City yesterday.
Saudi Arabia’s victory all but burst Oman’s bubble and they have now pulled away from the other contenders for the title with a tally of 11 points. A veritable permutations and combinations would have to be employed if Saudi Arabia are to be knocked down from the perch. Saudi Arabia round off their campaign with a match against minnows Yemen tomorrow, with Bahrain, second placed, and Qatar the outside contenders still having a look in. Kuwait play Bahrain and UAE meet Qatar next.
In a lively match, Saudi Arabia held the better share of exchanges but could not just pull away against a gritty Oman squad. The Kingdom put pressure on Oman from the third minute. An Al-Shalhoub’s pass was intercepted by Yosri Al-Basha inside the penalty box, but the threat was blunted by a regrouping Oman defense. And in the 8th minute, Al-Basha turned provider when his glancing header in front of the Oman goal was flubbed by Yasser Al-Qahtani, who failed to make clean contact with the ball.
Oman, laid an accent on defense, and following the early scares turned a marked attention to Al-Qahtani and Al-Basha as Saudi Arabia used both the flanks and their wings to good effect as they stung up the moves. Oman, relying on swift counters, almost took the lead in the 16th minute when Khalifa Al-Nofaly’s high ball eluded a rising Yousif Shaban, but goalkeeper Mabrook Zayed’s timing and position was perfect as he gathered the ball with ease. The teams ended the first half deadlocked goalless as Saudi Arabia had nothing to show for their domination. In the second half, against the run of play, Oman took the lead in the 61st minute. Zaied was instrumental in sending an incisive cross over the Saudi defenders, which was met by an onrushing Emad Al-Housani, and the header beat Zayed hands down.
Saudi Arabia turned on the heat in their search for the equalizer, and Ibraheem Suwaeed’s shot in the 64th minute from a free kick tested the Oman goalkeeper Al-Hebsi, who was again called up to effect another save in the very next minute, quickly intervening to cut off a dangerous goalmouth cross from Al-Shalhoub. Saudi Arabian coach then effected two changes that brought a change in the Kingdom’s fortunes. He took off Al-Shalhoub and Al-Basha and replaced them with Talal Al-Meshal and Saud Kariri. The attack suddenly gained an extra edge and Al-Suwaeed’s strike in the 65th minute almost secured the Saudi equalizer.
Saudi Arabia drew level in the 68th minute when Kariri’s nice through ball was collected by Talal, whose first-timer was blocked by the Oman goalie. But Muhammad Nur was at hand to latch on to the rebound and his shot lodged itself into the back of the net.
The Nur-Talal combination in the 74th minute again had the Omani citadel wobbling but the Omani goalie was again up to the task. With the Saudis pressing ahead, Oman nearly went ahead again in the 79th minute with Fawzi Basher breaking free from the advanced offside trap. But Zayed, who has had only two goals go past him in the event, kept his cool and that record, with a diving save.
The Saudis had their share of chances after that, but the scoreline remained intact. And just when it seemed that the teams would be sharing points and honors, Al-Qahtani received a nice through ball from Al-Wadiani, and Al-Qahtani’s powerful drive beat the Omani goalkeeper, the ball shooting through in between his legs in the very last minute of the match.
Today, UAE play Bahrain in what could be crucial for the Saudis. If Bahrain lose or tie the match than the Saudis will be crowned champions even before they step out for their match against Yemen.
Prince Faisal ibn Fahd
Cup Finals Set
Today, Al-Ittifaq take on Al-Hilal in the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup finals to be played in Riyadh.
