Global Arab Network | Oman Qualifies for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Translate this article to your language:

GANPublications

e-Publications

Add Site to Favorites

Add Page to Favorites

Make Homepage

Share This Page

RSS Feed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| |

Oman Qualifies for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Global Arab Network - - Jihad Taki

Friday, 04 March 2011 00:09

Oman (MUSCAT) - Unyielding and undeterred Oman achieved their goal of qualifying for the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup yesterday, after a cliff-hanger at Musannah Sports City.

With excited crowd that included OFA Chairman Khalid al Busaidy and Under-Secretary Rashad al Hinai egging on, the Sultanate boys doused the hopes of sturdy Iranians to win 3-2 via shootout and book ticket to the September World Cup in Ravenna (Italy). And it is the first time ever the national team is getting to a global event!

It will be an icing on the cake if Oman win the Asian Qualifier title today against the potent Japan who edged Asian champions United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the first semifinal yesterday.

However, all is not lost for UAE who can also grab Ravenna ticket by beating Iran in the play-off today as the first three finishers qualify for the World Cup.

Yesterday, Jalal was the hero of Oman who slotted in the first as well the penalty kick, the latter nonchalantly, sending the Iranian keeper to the wrong right side.

After Jalal's fifth minute goal, Al Zaabi gave Oman a two-goal cushion after four minutes.

And the hosts dominated the whole second period before Iran's Ahmadzadeh sliced one. Things turned worse for Oman when Boulokbashi found the equaliser.

However in the shootout, Oman keeper Salim brought hopes back into the camp by saving Mesigar's shot, then local lad Jalal did his cool act to the deafening cheers of the crowd.

Earlier, Japanese team exploded in ecstasy after becoming the first team to get to the Beach Soccer World Cup 2011.

Japan held sway most part of the game during which they knocked in two goals through captain Take and Yamaguchi. Asian champions UAE, however, managed to drill the Nippon net with a minute to go for the final hooter through Karim. (Omanobserver)

Global Arab Network

Add comment

The opinions of the authors in articles published are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Arab Network
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Global Arab Network