LONDON:ÌýA goal from Saleh Al-Shehri was enough forÌý¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ to complete a perfect week inÌýthe AFC Asian World Cup Qualifiers, as they registeredÌýtheir second victory in five days with a 1-0 win against Oman at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Thursday.
Al-Shehri’s strike, which was the culmination of a great team move,Ìýwas the key moment inÌýa cagey and hard-fought match.Ìý
Despite late pressure from Oman, playing at home for the first time since 2019 in front of a raucousÌý10,000-strong crowd, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ survived a late scare to seal the win.
The three points puts theÌýGreen Falcons level with Group B leaders Australia on the maximum six points after two matches. The Socceroos won their match against Vietnam in Hanoi 1-0 earlier in the day.
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ go into next month’s home fixtures against Japan and ChinaÌýlooking to maintain their perfect start,Ìýwhile Oman face a tough test in Australia in Sydney before returning home to face Vietnam.
Elsewhere, in Group A, Syria held the UAE to an entertaining draw in anÌýend-to-end matchÌýin Amman.
The Emiratis took the early lead afterÌýSyrian goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma fumbled Shahin Abdulrahman’s long range pass, which allowed Ali Mabkhout to poke home for his 77th international goal.
The goal takes the UAE legend past Argentinian Lionel Messi in the international goal count, and level with Brazilian great Pele.
Mahmood Al-Baher was the hero for Syria as he lashed home from aÌýMahmood Al-Mawas’ cross from the right hand side.
The result means UAE have two points fromÌýas many games, while Syria also remain without a win and just one point from the first two games.
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