Saturday 29 / March / 2025
MUSCAT: Oman head coach Rasheed Jaber lauded his team’s fighting spirit after they secured a crucial 1-0 victory over hosts Kuwait in their AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group B clash in Ardiyah on Tuesday night.
The win at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium keeps Oman’s hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive, cutting the gap to second-placed Jordan to just three points with two rounds remaining.
Issam Al Sabhi’s decisive header in the 56th minute proved enough for Oman, who now sit fourth with 10 points, trailing Jordan (13) and Iraq (12), while South Korea lead the group with 16.
Kuwait, meanwhile, saw their automatic qualification hopes vanish but remain in contention for a playoff spot, albeit four points adrift of Oman.
“The match was difficult, as we played against a developing Kuwaiti team that performed well,” said Jaber.
“Our goal from the start was to achieve a positive result, and that’s what we did. This victory was absolutely essential for us to stay in contention, and I’m proud of the way the players responded.”
Jaber also praised Oman’s ability to grind out results away from home, having collected four points from their last two matches on the road.
“The positive attitude we showed in these two away matches will motivate us for the upcoming ties,” he said.
“The door is still open for everyone to compete for qualification spots, and we will fight until the end.”
Jaber’s side were made to work for their win, surviving an early scare before growing into the contest.
Kuwait almost took the lead in the seventh minute when Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini’s error gifted Khaled Hajiah a golden opportunity, but the defender’s goal-bound effort was deflected over the bar.
Moments later, Hajiah sent a header off target, while Al Sabhi also squandered a chance at the other end.
Oman slowly settled and came close in the 32nd minute, with Arshad Al Alawi unleashing a powerful right-footed strike from 20 yards that had goalkeeper Khaled Al Rashidi scrambling, only for the ball to hit the side-netting.
The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute when Amjad Al Harthi raced down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that Al Sabhi met with a powerful downward header, leaving Al Rashidi with no chance.
Oman continued to push, with Al Alawi testing the Kuwaiti keeper again after Jameel Al Yahmadi’s determined run down the right.
The hosts thought they had won a penalty in the 74th minute when Thani Al Rushaidi was adjudged to have fouled Salman Al Awadhi, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. Kuwait pressed for an equaliser late on, with Eid Al Rashedi forcing a routine save from Al Mukhaini, while Mohammad Daham and Fahad Al Hajeri both missed the target.
Oman held firm in the closing stages to secure three vital points and keep their World Cup dreams alive. With two matches remaining against Jordan and Palestine in June, Oman’s path to direct qualification remains tough but achievable.
The Red Warriors will need another inspired performance to break into the top two and secure their historic first FIFA World Cup appearance.
The first two finishers in the group qualify directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico while the third and fourth placed teams progress into a fourth round.
