Oman exit FIFA Arab Cup despite their first victory

Muscat: Oman bowed out of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 with pride intact on Monday, earning their first win of the tournament, a 2-1 triumph over Comoros in their Group B match at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, but falling short of a place in the knockout stages.

Issam Al Sabhi was Oman’s star of the night, striking twice in the first half to give Carlos Queiroz’s side hope of a late surge from Group B.

But Morocco’s narrow 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the simultaneous fixture sealed Oman’s fate, sending the North Africans through alongside the already-qualified Saudis.

Morocco's win meant that they topped the group with seven points from two wins and one draw while Saudi Arabia finished runners-up with six points from two wins. Oman ended third with four points from one win and a draw, the only loss coming against Saudi Arabia. Comoros failed to open their account. 

Al Sabhi broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, pouncing on a costly error by the Comoros goalkeeper.

The forward doubled the lead minutes before halftime, rising above the defence to power in a superb header that put Oman firmly in control.

Comoros pulled one back in the 68th minute, but neither team could add to the scoreline as Oman saw out a deserved victory.

The Red Warriors had reignited their campaign on Friday with a gritty goalless draw against 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, a result that briefly kept their quarter-final hopes alive.

Yet Queiroz lamented missed opportunities from that match, particularly after Morocco were reduced to 10 men following Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah’s 53rd-minute dismissal.

Heading into the Comoros clash, Oman knew that their destiny did not rest solely in their own hands.

A win was essential - and delivered on Monday - but they also needed Saudi Arabia to defeat Morocco.

Herve Renard’s Saudi side, already assured of qualification after wins over Oman and Comoros, could not provide the helping hand.

Despite the disappointment, Oman left the tournament with heads held high, buoyed by their fighting spirit.