Sitting at 201 on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking at the time of the FIFA Arab Cup™ draw, Somalia pushed Oman all the way to penalties on the second and final day of qualifiers.
Elsewhere Bahrain squeezed past Djibouti while Comoros rallied late from two goals down to eliminate Yemen on penalties. It was also a triumphant day for Sudan, who defeated Lebanon despite playing with ten for most of the way.
Oman have brushed off the disappointment of narrowly failing to secure a FIFA World Cup™ slot in October’s fourth round of AFC qualifiers by downing Somalia to reach the Arab Cup group stage.
In front of a lively crowd at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Oman’s Nasser Al Rawahi had the best of the limited early chances, seeing a first-half effort well blocked and then flashing a shot across the face of the Somalia goal early in the second term.
Somalia entered the clash in a modest vein of form but came within inches of breaking the deadlock as captain Abdulsamed Abdullahi forced Ibrahim Al Mukhaini into a smart save as the hour approached.
That was the end of the clear-cut chances as the contest went straight to penalties, where both teams opted to make a goalkeeper change just as regulation time expired.
It was Oman’s Ibrahim Al Rajhi who played a starring role, saving the first and third spot-kicks and then watching on as Mohammed Al Ghafri converted the fourth to secure his nation a place in Group B alongside Morocco, Saudi Arabia and either Comoros or Yemen.
Bahrain goal: Mohamed Al Romaihi (36)
Bahrain secured their spot in Group D with a narrow victory over Djibouti at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
They hit the front shortly before half-time when Mohamed Marhoon sent a low cross into the area which looked like a simple gather for Mouktar Youssouf, but he fumbled the ball into the path of Mohamed Al Romaihi to tap in. Djibouti’s task was then made all the more difficult just seven minutes later as Ahmed Zakaria saw red for an off-the-ball elbow on Mahdi Abduljabbar.
The Bahrainis came closest to doubling their lead with 15 minutes to go when Komail Al-Aswad crossed for Al Romaihi, but Youssouf redeemed himself with a fine diving save.
Dragan Talajic’s side will now head into Group D of the final tournament alongside Algeria, Iraq and one of Sudan or Lebanon.
Sudan goals: Haidar own goal (43), Jobak (74)
Lebanon goal: Khamis (30)
Sudan overcame incredible odds to secure an epic comeback victory over Lebanon and qualify for the Arab Cup group stage.
The Falcons of Jediane, who went into the fixture having not won in their previous five outings, were reduced to ten men midway through the first half when frontman John Mano was sent off after picking up two quick yellow cards. Lebanon immediately capitalised on their advantage as Mohamad Safwan swung in a dangerous cross which Khalil Khamis converted from close range.
Sudan refused to give up, however, and equalised just before the break when a powerful strike by Mustafa Karshoum was deflected by Lebanon captain Mohamad Haidar into his own net. Early in the second half, Sudan had two excellent chances blocked on the line and then took a deserved lead when Yaser Jobak beat Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar at the near post with a low drive into the net.
Sudan goalkeeper then Monged Elneel pulled off a brilliant save in stoppage time from an Ali Kassas header to seal the improbable victory.
Comoros goals: Zakouani (30 pen), Mohamed (61), Amir (90+1 pen, 90+3)
Yemen goals: Alzuabidi (14), Algahwashi (40), Almatari (45+2, 65)
Comoros pulled off a comeback for the ages to defeat Yemen on penalties and advance to the group stage of the Arab Cup.
It was a dream start for Yemen, as they broke the deadlock when Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati failed to cleanly catch a corner kick and Harwan Alzuabidi pounced on the bobble to head home. But Comoros equalised when Zaid Amir was clipped in the area by Rami Alwasmani, and Housseine Zakouani tucked away the penalty.
Yemen regained the lead in style, as Abdulwasea Almatari whipped in a cross that connected with the foot of Nasser Algahwashi for the goal. Almatari would then add a third for Yemen right before intermission by polishing off a counter-attack. Comoros pulled to within one when Zainou-Dine Mohamed’s shot deflected off Osamah Anbar and caromed into net. However, they were punished by a defensive miscue, allowing Almatari to slip in and tally his second of the night.
Facing a two-goal deficit with just minutes remaining, Comoros surged late, with Amir as the hero. First, he calmly converted a penalty after a handball, and then equalised in dramatic fashion by running onto a deflected header from a Yemen defender to score and force penalties. From the spot, Anzimati was decisive in making two saves, while Comoros converted all four of their attempts, the winning one fittingly by Amir, to clinch victory.
