A negative draw between Qatar and Oman…a gift for the UAE national team

The Qatari and Omani teams provided a valuable service to the “Emirati White” team, after a goalless draw decided their exciting confrontation that brought them together this Wednesday evening at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, as part of the Asian play-off competitions qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals.

The UAE national team begins its Asian playoff campaign with a meeting with Oman next Saturday.

The beginning of the match went in favor of the Qatari team, which entered the match strongly, imposing its attacking style from the first minutes, amid continuous pressure on the Omani defence. Boualem Khoukhi almost opened the scoring early with a missile shot that passed along the right post, in the most dangerous opportunity for “Annabi” during the first quarter of an hour.

After a period of defensive retreat and tactical caution, the Omani team needed 26 minutes to break the offensive deadlock, when Issam Al-Sabahi fired a powerful shot from outside the area, but goalkeeper Mahmoud Abundi was on time and held the ball firmly.

The last minutes of the first half witnessed a shift in the balance of play, as the Omani “Red” succeeded in imposing its rhythm and taking control of the maneuvering area thanks to its organized movements and quick passes. Khalid Al-Buraiki concluded the first half with a dangerous opportunity through a header that went over the crossbar of the Qatari goal, announcing the end of a first half that was equal in performance and exciting in its details.

Fate was merciful in the first minutes of the second half to the Omani national team, after they were lucky in a dangerous opportunity led by Qatari star Akram Afif, who skillfully penetrated the defenses, before shooting a creeping ball that passed alongside the post.

Then, the most dangerous opportunity for the Qataris was lost, after Akram Afif put it on the head of Pedro Miguel, which he wasted while at the goal gate.