MUSCAT, OCT 12
Oman came back brilliantly after conceding a goal to beat Vietnam 3-1 in the World Cup Asian qualifier at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Tuesday night.
Issam al Subhi (46th minute), Mohsin al Khaldi (49th) and Salah al Yahyai (63rd minute – penalty) were on target for Oman.
With their second win in the Group B, Oman brightened their qualification hopes for the World Cup Qatar 2022 with six points from four matches and are placed third in the group table. Oman had opened the campaign with a stunning 1-0 win against Japan.
Much against the run of the play, Vietnam took the lead in the 39th minute when Nguyen Tien Linh slotted in after a rebound from Oman goalkeeper Fayez al Rushaidi.
Oman intensified their attacks after the unexpected blow and the Red Warriors struck the equaliser in the added time of the first-half.
Japan match hero Issam al Subhi brought the sizeable home crowd on their feet after an acrobatic strike at the Vietnam box after a free kick from the centre.
A relieved Oman went for the break with score on 1-1.
Earlier, Oman captain Mohsin al Khaldi missed a penalty in the 16th minute after his left-footed shot went high over the bar.
Later, in the 25th minute, Mohsin failed to place the ball into Vietnam net ahead of an advancing goalkeeper after a rebound from the keeper.
Vietnam defender Ho Tan Tai elbowed Ali al Busaidy in the box as the referee checked with the VAR to allow the penalty.
In the second half, Mohsin made amends to his penalty miss as his left-footed corner fell into the net as Vietnam goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan was in the wrong position in the 49th minute.
In the 56th minute, Salah al Yahyai tried a through ball, but Khalid al Hajri was caught offside.
In the 63rd minute, Oman consolidated their lead to 3-1 as Salah al Yahyai made no mistake from the spot kick.
In a similar foul which resulted in the first penalty, Do Duy Munh challenged Jameel al Yahmadi while jumping for a high ball and the defender’s effort with the hand brought Jameel on the ground inside the penalty box.
In the 80th minute, Oman replaced Mohsin with Arshad al Alawi. A minute before, Abdulaziz al Muqbali came in for goal-scorer Issam al Subhi.
Vietnam coach Park Hang Seo made his changes with Pham Tuan Hai replacing goal-scorer Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Van Toan coming in for Do Duy Manh, who had received a yellow card for a foul which resulted in the second penalty for Oman.
Abdullah Fawaz came in for Jameel al Yahmadi for Oman in the 86th minute.
In the 89th minute, Nguyen Quand Hai’s strong shot from the right side of the box was off target.
In the other matches of the group, Japan beat Australia 2-1 in Saitama to earn their second victory.
