Saudi Arabia leave it late to beat Oman in Asian Cup opener

Saudi defender Ali Al-Bulaihi heads the winner against Oman at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Jan. 16, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 17 January 2024
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Saudi Arabia leave it late to beat Oman in Asian Cup opener

  • Abdulrahman Ghareeb equalized in the second half and then, in the 96th minute, Ali Al-Bulaihi headed home an unforgettable, and ultimately deserved, winner
  • Ghareeb had been on the pitch just three or four minutes when he picked up possession at the edge of the area, danced past three defenders and then rolled the ball home

What drama! Saudi Arabia recovered from an early setback in their opening game at the 2023 Asian Cup to defeat Oman 2-1 in Doha on Tuesday.

After trailing for much of the Group F match, Abdulrahman Ghareeb equalized in the second half and then, in the 96th minute, Ali Al-Bulaihi headed home an unforgettable, and ultimately deserved, winner. 

It was not the best performance from Saudi Arabia, but if there is any team that knows a first game does not define a tournament, it is the Green Falcons.

They defeated Argentina in the opening game at the 2022 World Cup, only to fall at the first hurdle while the South Americans went on to lift the trophy.

For a long time, defeat looked likely as Oman took an early lead. A spot kick converted by Salaah Al-Yahyaei after 14 minutes put the Reds ahead.

A defeat is never welcome in a tournament, but would have meant that Roberto Mancini’s decision to omit Salman Al-Faraj, Sultan Al-Ghannam and Nawaf Al-Aqidi from the squad would have come under more scrutiny.  

The penalty was given as Hassan Tambakti was adjudged to have made contact with Muhsen Al-Ghassani in the area.

It was a soft decision, but the referee pointed to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor. Then Al-Yahyaei sent goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar the wrong way. 

It stung the three-time champions into action but, as was expected, Oman were well-organized, disciplined, and made it difficult for their more illustrious opponents. 

Despite that, Saudi Arabia then had chances to level the scoreline. Sami Al-Naji had a shot that was deflected just wide, Nasser Al-Dawsari’s long-range effort flew just past the post, and then Saleh Al-Shehri missed from close range.

The Green Falcons came closest just before the break after a lovely move. Saud Abdulhamid was on the right side and headed a deep cross from the left back across goal into the path of Al-Naji, whose instant shot from close range was well-saved from Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini. 

In the second half, Saudi Arabia pushed further and further forward while Oman were happy to sit back, saying to their bigger rivals “come and break us down.” It was far from easy as Saudi Arabia struggled to create chances.

Then with 12 minutes left, it was 1-1 thanks to a goal of the highest quality. Ghareeb had been on the pitch just three or four minutes when he picked up possession at the edge of the area, danced past three defenders and then rolled the ball home. It really was a goal of class and beauty, and it looked like more would follow.

That is what happened after 96 minutes as Al-Bulaihi headed home from close range. The goal was immediately ruled out but, after a lengthy VAR delay, it was given.

The Oman players and coaching staff were furious, but in the end it was 2-1 to Mancini and his players. 

Saudi Arabia go on to meet Kyrgyzstan on Sunday, who lost 2-0 to Thailand earlier. There is still a long way to go, but the first step has been taken.


Man City held by Solanke stunner, Sesko delivers ‘best feeling’ for Man Utd

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Man City held by Solanke stunner, Sesko delivers ‘best feeling’ for Man Utd

  • Solanke’s absence for most of the season due to injury has played a major part in Spurs’ struggles

ONDON: Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge hit a fresh stumbling block as Dominic Solanke’s acrobatic strike salvaged a 2-2 draw for struggling Tottenham on Sunday, while Benjamin Sesko secured another thrilling 3-2 win for Manchester United over Fulham.
City were cruising toward what would have been another damaging defeat for Spurs boss Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 at half-time.
But Solanke scored twice in the second half to leave Pep Guardiola’s men six points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
City have won just one of their six league games in 2026 to allow the Gunners to move closer to a first title in 22 years.
“We haven’t had the consistency to win the games when others were able to do it,” said Guardiola.
Rayan Cherki fired the visitors into an early lead and was only denied a spectacular second by a brilliant Guglielmo Vicario save.
Antoine Semenyo did double City’s advantage before the break to spark uproar from the furious Spurs support at half-time.
However, Tottenham flipped the script in the second period to give Frank some breathing space.
Solanke’s absence for most of the season due to injury has played a major part in Spurs’ struggles.
The England international’s finish from close range halved the deficit before he produced a stunning moment of athleticism to hook the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma with a scorpion kick.

Sesko rides to Man Utd rescue

A third consecutive win since Michael Carrick took the reins at Old Trafford propelled United back into the top four at the expense of Chelsea and Liverpool.
A week on from a 3-2 win at Arsenal, it was another throwback to United’s glory days during Carrick’s playing career as they snatched victory in dramatic fashion after a Fulham fightback.
Goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha either side of half-time put United in command.
Just a second defeat in nine league games dealt a blow to Fulham’s own hopes of European football next season.
The visitors showed plenty of fight as Raul Jimenez’s penalty five minutes from time began a frantic finale before Kevin’s spectacular strike looked to have salvaged a point.
But United went straight down the other end and Sesko spun onto Bruno Fernandes’ pass before blasting into the top corner.
“It’s the best feeling I have to say,” Carrick said.
“Some of the best moments I’ve been part of here, you can dissect performances and there are plusses and not, and then you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.”

Villa’s title dreams fade

To cap a fine day for Arsenal, third-placed Aston Villa were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Brentford to remain seven points off the top.
Kevin Schade was sent off for kicking out at Matty Cash on 42 minutes.
But in first-half stoppage time, the Bees took the lead when Dango Ouattara blasted in from a narrow angle.
Villa laid seige to the Brentford goal after the break but lacked the invention to break the visitors down.
Tammy Abraham did have the ball in the net but was denied a debut goal on his return to Villa after a VAR review found the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Crystal Palace also failed to make the most of a man advantage in a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s early strike put Forest in front, but Neco Williams’ decision to punch the ball clear off his own goal-line just before half-time was the break the visitors needed.
Ismaila Sarr netted from the penalty spot after Williams was shown a red card.
However, Palace failed to end their 12-game wait for a win and remain just three points above Forest and nine clear of the bottom three.