Saturday 06 / December / 2025
MUSCAT: Oman played out a goalless draw with 10-man Morocco in their FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Group B tie at the Education City Stadium on Friday.
The result did little to improve Oman’s knockout stage hopes and they have to defeat Comoros on Monday to stand a chance of advancing. Morocco, who moved up to four points, will face Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabis were due to play Comoros in a late night game on Friday.
Both sides traded early blows with Oman’s Jameel Al Yahmadi finding space just above the box, only to drill his effort wide in the sixth minute, while Walid El Karti pounced on a stray pass at the edge of the box but steered his shot wide of the left post.
Morocco began to take control and almost came good in the 16th minute when Walid El Karti sent a delightful cross for Amin Zahzouh but the Al Wakrah SC midfielder miscued his overhead kick, leaving Oman keeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini with a comfortable save.
Oman, who needed a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive after their 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, were let off the hook again just before the half-hour mark when Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah was sent clear on goal but Al Mukhaini stood his ground to deflect the shot.
Al Mukhaini was at his best again in the 38th minute when he tipped away Hamed Allah’s volley from close range.
Oman returned in the second half with renewed energy with Yousuf Al Malki forcing Morocco keeper El Mehdi Benabid to tip the ball from his free-kick over the bar before Morocco survived another Oman attack with Benabid clearing Harib Al Saadi’s dangerous cross.
Morocco suffered a setback in the 53rd minute after captain Hamed Allah was shown the red card for his high boot on Musab Al Shaqsi.
Oman, however, failed to take advantage as they settled for a point which left their hopes hanging in the balance.
