DOHA, Jan 22 — Southeast Asian champions Thailand extended their unbeaten run after holding Oman to a goalless draw in their second 2023 Asian Cup Group F match at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, here, last night.
Thailand have a good chance of qualifying for the second round and will meet three-time champions Saudi Arabia in their last group match on Thursday.
Thailand and Oman were evenly matched in the first half of the game, with the Thais coming close to scoring through a header by defender Elias Dolah in the 16th minute, which was saved by Omani keeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini and cleared by midfielder Abdullah Fawaz.
Oman counterattacked in the 20th minute, with Thai keeper Patiwat Khammai having to block striker Issam Al Sabhi’s shot at goal, and missed an opportunity in the 31st minute when Fawaz’s shot ballooned high over their opponent’s goal.
In the second half, Oman, who lost 1-2 to Saudi Arabia in their opener on Tuesday, went on the offensive looking for a win, only to see Thailand’s Supachai Chaided header miss their goal in the 55th minute.
The game remained goalless until the final whistle even though Oman came close in the 72nd minute through Khalid Al Braiki and later a strike by Omer Al Malki that straight to keeper Patiwat in the 85th minute.
Oman, with their first point of the tournament, need to win against Kyrgyzstan on Thursday to have any chance of making it into the second round, while Thailand need only a draw against Saudi Arabia to advance.
Meanwhile, three-time champion Saudi Arabia confirmed their place in the round of 16 after clinching a comfortable 2-0 victory over nine-man Kyrgyzstan in their second Group F match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
The loss saw Kyrgyzstan remain without any points after two games and The White Falcons’ hope depends on them securing a win against Oman in their last match this Thursday and favourable results elsewhere to advance as one of the best-ranked third-place teams.
In last night’s clash, Kyrgyzstan found themselves in trouble after just nine minutes when they were reduced to 10 men with defender Aizar Akmatov receiving a red card following a reckless challenge on midfielder Sami Al Naji just outside the box.
The opening goal for Saudi Arabia came in the 35th minute when midfielder Mohammed Kanno converted a cross from Saud Abdulhamid, who was first to the rebound after Abdulelah Al Malki’s powerful strike from long-range cannoned off the post.
Kyrgyzstan led by Stefan Tarkovic faced further challenge with another red card, this time for the 19-year-old midfielder Kimi Merk, just five minutes after the second half resumed.
This is following a heavy challenge on defender Hassan Tambakti, which saw the latter hobbled off and replaced by Saleh Ali Shehri.
Kanno nearly doubled his tally in the 72nd minute when he rose unopposed to head Al Burayk’s delivery from the corner past Tokotaev but was denied by the post.
Roberto Mancini’s men found their second goal of the night through substitute Faisal Al Ghamdi in the 77th minute.
The young midfielder fired an effort from the edge of the area that proved too powerful for Tokotaev, whose attempt to punch it away ended up with the ball in the back of the net instead.
Saudi Arabia, who have six points from two games, will conclude their Group F in a top-of-the-table clash with Thailand (four points) at Education City Stadium on Thursday while Oman (one point) plays Kyrgyzstan at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on the same day.
The last time Saudi Arabia emerged as champions was in 1996, and the 2007 edition was the last time they played in the final.
— Bernama
