Doha: Oman boosted their hopes of advancing to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 2-1 win over Afghanistan in Group E yesterday.
With Qatar having sealed top spot in Group E with an unassailable 22 points, Oman’s hopes depend on them finishing as one of the best five runners-up and Branko Ivankovic’s men saw off an Afghanistan side who will now have to defeat India in their final match on Tuesday to finish third and book a spot in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Oman, with second place confirmed, play bottom-placed Bangladesh in their final game.
Oman, who defeated Afghanistan 3-0 in their previous encounter in October 2019, enjoyed the early possession and took the lead just inside the quarter of an hour mark with Abdullah Fawaz scoring from distance off Salah Al Yahyaei’s assist.
Ivanovic’s charges continued to dominate play and came close to extending their lead in the 20th minute but Afghanistan’s David Nejem was quick to block Abdul Gheilani’s effort from inside the box.
Despite falling a goal behind and being restricted to counter-attacks, Afghanistan’s patience paid off handsomely four minutes later when they equalised through Omid Popalzay’s header after Nejem had done well to supply the cross from the right flank.
Oman started the second half with renewed purpose and their dominance was rewarded in the 52nd minute when Fawaz doubled his tally when he beat Afghanistan goalkeeper Ovays Azizi from outside the box.
The win takes Oman to 15 points and they will aim for another victory against Bangladesh on Tuesday to tighten their grip on one of the five places available for the best runners-up in the final round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers.
