AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers : Late strike takes Oman past Kyrgyz Republic

 After 90 intense minutes of end to end action at the Fujairah Stadium, the Omani skipper’s last ditch effort proved to be the difference as the West Asians bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to India.

Kyrgyz Republic came into the match having beaten United Arab Emirates in their opening game but opted for a cautious approach in the first few minutes, allowing Oman to set the pace.

The sturdy Kyrgyz Republic defence, however, was hard to breach as Oman were forced to take their chances from distances. 

Kyrgyz Republic, chasing their first-ever appearance in the AFC U23 Asian Cup, had to work hard to hold possession as they hardly challenged Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Yousuf Al Rajhi. 

AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers : Late penalty hands UAE win over India 

The stalemate continued well into the second half, with Oman having the better chances as Kyrgyz Republic ‘keeper Erzhan Tokotaev was tested time and again.

Nikolai Iuzahnin’s Kyrgyz Republic side, however, should have taken the lead against the run of play in the 75th minute when a mishit clearance saw the ball land at substitute Gulzhigit Borubaev’s feet, but his strike deflected off the top post. 

At the other end, Tokotaev kept denying the Omani efforts but Kyrgyz Republic’s luck ran out in the dying seconds when Maksat Dzhakybaliev received his second yellow card for a foul on Waleed Salim Al Musalmi. 

Captain Al Alawi stepped to take the ensuing free-kick at the edge of the penalty box and his crackling strike beat the Kyrgyz wall and a diving Tokotaev for the winning goal.

Oman play UAE next on Saturday with Kyrgyz Republic to face India.

Courtesy - https://the-afc.com/