Oman grab injury time equaliser to earn draw
A late goal by substitute Said Al Ruzeiqi in the final throes of the game saw Oman play out a thrilling 2-2 draw – that showed plenty of resilience from the Reds.
Bahrain had the early momentum as Kameel Al Soud and Fauzi Ayeesh had two early chances, the latter testing goalkeeper Faiz Al Rusheidi by forcing him to pull of a smart close range save.
The Reds replied eagerly with the ever dangerous Qasim Said getting a shot on target and testing the Bahraini keeper. Abdulsalam Mukhaini had two good chances at the half hour mark, but couldn’t find the mark.
It was Bahrain who opened the scoring however, as Mohammed Al Ramihi rose highest to meet a cross coming from a deep free kick and deflect it into the top corner.
The goal meant Bahrain went into the break a goal to the better, with Oman not having as much to show for their forays towards the opposition goalposts.
The second half resumed and the Reds were quick to pounce in their search for an equaliser as Qasim Said and Abdulaziz Maqbali both tested the keeper within the first 15 minutes.
It was Bahrain who would capitalise however, substitute Mohammed Alawi once more winning the ball in the air off a dripping cross to double the visitors lead.
Oman had an uphill task after being 2 goals down and they knew it. Coach Lopez Caro turned to his bench and it was the bench that provided with Salah Al Yahyaei providing the first goal as he held back his run to drive the cut back home – though it could be argued that Bahrain Custodian Sayed Mohammed Jafar could have done a little more to save the shot.
Oman probed further and it seemed like there was not going to be an equaliser until one came up all the way in injury time.
It was another substitute who provided the equaliser – with Said Al Ruzeiqi exchanging quick passes before giving the visitors a taste of their own aerial medicine when he rose highest to nod home the equaliser.
The game ended with a 2-2 Scoreline, the Reds probably happy with recovery and resilience shown but not the end result.
