Oman, Saudi Arabia to clash for title
The Source: www.gulf-times.com - 16/1/2009
Home \
Sport News
Qatar's dreams of winning their third Gulf Cup title ended yesterday after a 1-0 semi-final loss to hosts Oman at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. Oman, who lost the last two finals, will be looking to make it third time lucky in Saturday's final when they meet Saudi Arabia who defeated Kuwait by the same score line in the other semi-final. Striker Hassan Rabia scored the decisive goal in the 19th minute to put Oman into the final. Rabia now tops the tournament's goal scoring chart with four goals. Oman made a bright start to the match, committing to attack from either flank. Bader al-Maimani, Ismail al-Ajmi and Ahmed Mubarak were impressive in the middle, playing some swift passes, forcing the visitors to their toes.
Imad al-Hosni almost gave Oman a lead in the eighth minute when he connected a long throw-in from Mubarak inside the box. But Qatar goalkeeper Mohammed Saqr was quick to deny the Al Rayyan striker as he tipped away the ball for a corner. Qatar were lucky to get away with a defensive error in the 16th minute when Maimani miscued his shot on a square pass after Bilal Mohammed conceded a free-kick for bringing down Rabia just outside the area.
Three minutes later, Qatar had another defensive mix up and this time and it proved costly as Oman took the lead. Al-Ajmi's clever lob from the deep right caught both Bilal and Talal al-Bloushi unawares and Rabia quickly got himself into position to fire a half-volley into the roof of the net. Waleed Jassim and Khalfan Ibrahim both tried hard to penetrate the Omani defence but failed to create anything. Qatar almost levelled it at the stroke of half time when Jassim's free-kick sailed just inches over the bar. In between Oman could have added two goals before half-time but both al-Hosni
and Maimani wasted their chances. As if made painfully aware of the lack of passion in their first half performance, Qatar began the second with more purpose. They began to play more of their football in the Omani half, especially after the hour-mark.
They had a big chance for an equaliser off a set piece in the 74th minute when defender Marconi Ameral launched a diving header towards the goal. But Ali al-Habsi was equal to his task under the Omani goal as the Bolton Wanderer reserve 'keeper denied Ameral with a brilliant diving save. Five minutes later, al-Habsi produced another good save when he was called on by striker Sebastian Soria, who pulled a trigger from 25 yards out. Qatar continued to camp inside the Omani territory but were having trouble breaking down the Omani defence. Qatar had their last chance to get back into the match two minutes from the regulation time when Younis Ali set up a through ball to Soria. But it was the evening where al-Habsi could do no wrong as he again frustrated the Qatari striker.
Despite the loss, Qatar coach Bruno Metsu put up a brave face, saying, "It was a good game. We played strongly in the second half.
"I noticed the only difference between the sides was the Omani goalkeeper, who remained outstanding in the evening. He denied us two certain goals," said Metsu. He explained that the team struggled with constant change in defensive line-up.
"We were forced to change our line-up due to injuries and suspensions," he lamented. Team captain Abdullah Koni had to return home due to head injury and Qatar played without Bilal Mohammed in their 2-1 win over Yemen, while Ibrahim Majid was suspended for the semi-final clash. Meanwhile, Oman coach Claude Le Roy was pleased with the performance of his charges. "It was a big game and we put in strong show, especially in the first half. I hope to carry on this form and win on Saturday."
|