Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Oman edged closer to the last eight of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 after securing a 0-0 draw with Korea Republic in Group C on Monday.
Yousuf Al Malki struck the woodwork early on at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as two-time champions Oman had the better of a goalless opening 45 minutes.
The East Asians put in an improved performance in a second half of few chances with the goalkeepers rarely tested as Oman returned to the top of the standings on goal difference while the 2014 runners-up picked up their first point of the continental campaign.
Oman will now advance as Group C winners if they avoid defeat against second-placed Iraq on Thursday while Korea Republic must beat Malaysia and hope the group’s other clash does not end level if they are to have any chance of progression.
Oman started confidently and were just inches away from going in front on 10 minutes when Al Malki’s inswinging free-kick from 40 yards caught goalkeeper Park Ji-min off guard only to rebound back off the crossbar.
The Gulf nation continued in the ascendancy and Arshad Al Alawi drilled just wide of the Korea Republic left post on 17 minutes.
Yaqoub Al Sabahi’s team then should have opened the scoring midway through the half with Al Alawi, scorer of two goals in his side’s 3-0 opening-day victory over Malaysia, involved once more.
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