Doha, Qatar – Issam al Sabhi scored a brace as Oman defeated Comoros, but were still eliminated from FIFA Arab Cup as Morocco defeated Saudi Arabia to reach the knockout stages from Group B on Monday.
The Saudis had already booked their berth in the quarterfinals after winning their opening two matches.
Needing a big win, Oman wasted little time in setting about that task. Within the first half hour alone, Al Sabhi twice failed to hit the target from close range, Zahir al Aghbari forced a pair of saves from Comoros keeper Ali Ahamada and Jameel al Yahmadi also blazed wide.
When the goal did eventually come, it was not a moment that Ahamada will remember fondly as he attempted to dribble past Al Sabhi inside the six-yard box, was duly dispossessed and watched on as the Omani forward tucked home into an empty goal.
A swooping header just before the break doubled Al Sabhi and Oman’s advantage before things swung unexpectedly in Comoros’ favour after the resumption.
First, a delightful solo effort from Nassuir Hamidou saw them peg one back before several late chances were squandered in an entertaining finale to a campaign that saw the debutants ultimately end with three straight defeats.
Oman depart with four points.
Earlier, Morocco, who needed just a draw, secured their passage to the quarterfinals with victory over Saudi Arabia, who missed a penalty in the second half.
The Green Falcons held their own after making multiple changes following their prior progress to the knockouts with back-to-back victories. Herve Renard’s men came close to breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute when a looping header from Saleh Abu al Shamat flew over Morocco goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid and clipped the crossbar.
Morocco immediately fought back and took the lead after Tarik Tissoudali laid the ball off to Karim El Berkaoui, who finished under intense pressure from the Saudi defence.
Saudi Arabia refused to give up and were awarded a penalty midway through the second half following a foul by Amin Zahzouh on substitute Abdullah Al Hamdan, who attempted a Panenka but chipped the resulting spot kick over the bar.
