MUSCAT : Oman struggled to find their rhythm, looking disjointed and unable to capitalize on their chances. Harib Al Saadi came close to equalizing with a powerful shot in the first half, but his attempt soared over the bar, leaving the scoreline unchanged.

The first half was largely uneventful for The Red Warriors, who failed to mount any significant offensive pressure. As the teams headed into the break, Iraq appeared to be the more composed side.

The second half saw Iraq asserting dominance, with Oman’s efforts to level the score thwarted by their inconsistency. Coach Jaroslav Šilhavý faced further challenges as injuries forced him to shuffle his lineup, with Ahmed Al Khamisi having to be forced off the game on a stretcher and Arshad Al Alawi receiving a red card in the last few moments of the game, adding to the team’s struggles.

Despite the challenges, the Omani fans stood strong, cheering their team on and showing relentless support, regardless of the result.

In the end, Iraq sealed the victory, rising to the top of the table with three points over South Korea. But even in defeat, Oman’s fans kept their heads high, embodying the resilient spirit of their nation throughout the game.

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