Oman reach Asian Cup last 16 to end Palestine's qualification hopes

A 3-1 victory over Turkmenistan guarantees Oman one of the best third-place side places

Oman's players celebrate their opening goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group F football match between Oman and Turkmenistan at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 17, 2019.  / AFP / Khaled DESOUKI
Powered by automated translation

Oman are through to the last 16 of the Asian Cup after two goals in the final six minutes saw them beat Turkmenistan 3-1 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night

The result qualifies them as one of the best third-place sides for the knockout stages.

Ahmed Al Mahaijri had given them a 20th-minute lead at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium but that was cancelled out four minutes from half time as Altymyrat Annadurdyyev found the net.

Oman pushed forward in the second half and their pressure was rewarded six minutes from time as Muhsen Al Ghassani slotted home after a goalmouth melee.

A header from Mohammed Al Mussallami in stoppage time sealed the victory.

________________

More from Asian Cup:

Son Heung-min: Why he's worth the wait for Asian Cup fans in the UAE

Alberto Zaccheroni 'knows fans are not happy' but says UAE will improve

________________

The win for Oman ends Palestine's hopes of reaching the second round. They had been the fourth best third-placed side going into Thursday's final day of the group stages despite not scoring any goals in their three matches.

They had two points and that will now not be enough, with Bahrain (four), Kyrgyzstan (four), Oman (three) and Vietnam (three) all having more points then them.

Oman's goal difference is better then Vietnam's and means it is the Vietnamese who must sweat on the final Group E game between North Korea and Lebanon that starts at 8pm.

Lebanon must win by four goals against North Korea to displace Vietnam, while the North Koreans must win by the unlikely margin of nine goals to go through.