RIYADH : Oman showed resilience in their Gulf Cup opener as Nasser Al Rawahi brought the Reds back into the game against Iraq at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium.
Iraq made the perfect start, opening the scoring after only six minutes through Mohammed Qasim. The 29-year-old collected the ball inside the penalty area before firing a left-footed effort into the net to register the first goal of the 27th edition of the tournament.
The strike also marked Qasim’s third goal for the Iraqi national team in his 24th appearance, according to Transfermarkt.
Read More
- 156 players hit the lanes as Women’s Bowling Championship gets underway in Muscat
- Asian Games 2026: Jay Meena assures India’s first-ever soft tennis medal
- Mirabai Chanu wins maiden Asian Games medal with women’s 49kg silver
- Oman open Gulf Cup campaign against Iraq as coach Sektioui builds for future
- Oman Ski Ball Championship 2026 to bring 10 nations to Ibri
Remarkably, Qasim’s previous two international goals also came in an Arabian Gulf Cup opener seven years ago. He scored twice against Qatar in the opening match of Gulf Cup 24 in 2019, helping Iraq secure a 2-1 victory.
After missing the 25th and 26th editions of the tournament, Qasim returned to the Gulf Cup stage in familiar fashion, once again scoring Iraq’s opening goal and the tournament’s first.
Oman, however, refused to let the early setback dictate the match.
The Reds continued to push forward and were rewarded when Al Rawahi found the equaliser, sparking celebrations among the Omani supporters and bringing his side firmly back into the contest.
Iraq struck first, but Oman responded, with Al Rawahi ensuring the Reds began their Gulf Cup journey by showing they would fight until the final whistle.
For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
