Oman Edge Kuwait to Keep Gulf Cup Hopes Alive

Kuwait City:  Captain Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu’ scored from the spot as Oman edged hosts Kuwait 1-0 to put their Gulf Cup campaign back on track at the Jaber International Stadium in Kuwait City on Monday.

While the result, their first in two matches, kept the Sultanate squad’s hopes alive, it ended the hosts hopes of advancing in the 23rd edition of the championship.

Oman, 2009 champions, with three points from two outings are third in the four-team Group A while Kuwait are rooted at the bottom with no points to show.

Now Oman’s chances of reaching the semifinals depend on the outcome of their final group match against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The UAE will take on Kuwait on the same day.

Against Kuwait on Monday, veteran midfielder Ahmed Mubarak ‘Kanu’ turned the hero for Oman with a cool strike after Oman earned a penalty as Khalid Al Hajri was brought down in the danger zone in the 58ith minute.

The Omani captain looked tense but eventually kept his cool to shoot the ball straight into the goal as Kuwaiti custodian Hammed Al Qallaf dived to his left.

But it was after the half-hour mark that Oman missed a golden opportunity when Mohsin Johar, after a move from left, shot wide from a close range.

However, Oman missed a certain goal in the 38th minute when Raed Ibrahim, after racing into the danger area from the right, and with only Hameed Al Qallaf to beat shot straight into the rival custodian’s body.