Oman enter Arabian Gulf Cup final

Abu Dhabi - It was a seesaw match where momentum swung from Oman in the first half to Bahrain in the second.

Oman prevailed 1-0 against Bahrain in an intense semifinal match of the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup at a packed Jaber International Stadium in Kuwait City on Tuesday.
It was a seesaw match where momentum swung from Oman in the first half to Bahrain in the second.
Oman started the match with an attacking intent. They went searching for goals and Bahrain was on the back foot. Early on, Omani striker Khalid Al Hajri threatened with his attacks. In the 15th minute, Oman's Mohsin Al Khaldi fired a long-ranger but missed target. At 25 minutes, experienced midfielder Ahmed Mubarak Al Mahaijri tested the Bahraini goal with a dipping free-kick which sneaked past the wall but was parried away by keeper Sayed Shubbar Alawi. And minutes later the keeper leapt to keep away another goal-bound kick from Jameel Al Yahmadi.
However, Oman's persistence paid dividends as a goal came in the 29th minute. For the second time in this tournament, the breakthrough came through an own goal. Saad Al Mukhaini had curled in a corner kick but Bahrain midfielder Ali Jaafar Mohamed Madan headed the ball back into his own net.
Following the goal, Bahrain showed urgency and had few chances but was tackled by experienced Saad Al Mukhaini & Co.
After the restart, Bahrain continued to maintain pressure. Striker Mahdi Abd Al Jabar threatened through the right. And 10 minutes into the second half, Bahrain coach Miroslav Soukup changed the formation with midfielder Ebrahim Ahmed Habib replacing defender Ahmed Abdulla Ali. Next up, Mahdi Al Jabar had a chance go begging in front of the goal.
Soon, Al Jabar was substituted with striker Abdulla Yusuf Helal. At stroke of an hour, Habib had a good attempt on goal and followed up with another low header. Bahrain players hunted in packs and Oman defenders and keeper Faiz Al Rushaidi were kept under pressure.
Oman tried to push through long balls but Bahraini defenders were alert. It was a tense 15 minutes to hooter with series of attacks as both teams looked for ways to score. There was five additional minutes largely played in Oman half but despite best efforts Bahrain couldn't find a goal.
And with this win, Oman reached their fourth Cup final. They have, however, won the Cup only once as hosts in 2009. And in their bid to add another trophy, they will either face the UAE or Iraq in the final on Friday.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com