Breaking News: Oman lifts Gulf Cup 2017

The fact that Oman forced the UAE to concede a couple of free-kicks and managed to earn as many as four corners indicated their hold on the match during the first half.

After the combination of captain Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu and Raed Ibrahim, and later Khalid Al Hajri tested the UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa, Oman’s first real threat came off a corner taken by Mohsin Johar but underpressure Jameel Al Yahmadi headed the ball wide.

Twenty minutes into the match, it was the turn of captain ‘Kanu’ to miss another opportunity. The veteran midfielder did well to rise above the rival defenders to head the ball sent in by Mohsin from a free-kick but unfortunately for Oman the ball went straight into the hands of Khalid Essa.

Though the UAE too managed to take a shot at the Omani goal on a couple of occasions, the Sultanate’s goalkeeper Al Rusheidi stood up to the challenge and the score remained goalless at the end of half-time.