Oman advance to Gulf Cup semi-finals after draw decides Iraq tie

Oman reached the Gulf Cup 27 semi-finals at Iraq’s expense after a draw was used to separate the two teams when every other qualifying measure ended level.

The decision was confirmed by Khaled Al-Muqrin, chairman of the competitions committee at the Gulf Football Federation, who said the procedure followed the tournament regulations.

“The draw that decided Oman’s qualification for the semi-finals at Iraq’s expense was conducted in accordance with the approved tournament regulations,” Al-Muqrin told reporters. “All participating federations were aware of the criteria for deciding qualification.”

Asked whether Iraq had lodged an objection, he said: “I am not aware of any objection, and I work according to the regulations. This edition is unique and historic, and this situation has occurred for the first time, but everything was carried out in accordance with the regulations.”

He added: “Everyone has representatives in the representation office and approved the regulations. They also have representatives on the competitions committee, so everyone is aware of them. Ranking is not among the criteria for deciding qualification.”

The organising committee held the draw more than an hour after the group-stage matches had ended, with Iraq and Oman level on points, goals scored, goal difference and fair play.

Both teams had collected eight yellow cards across their three group matches. The draw, held at a hotel in Jeddah, ultimately sent Oman through alongside group winners Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

How the teams finished level

Before the final round of matches, the contest for second place had been reduced to Iraq and Oman. Saudi Arabia had already qualified in the previous round, while Kuwait had been eliminated.

Oman needed to win and hope Iraq lost, while also overturning a three-goal difference. Those results materialised as Saudi Arabia beat Iraq 2-0 and Oman defeated Kuwait 3-1.

Saudi Arabia secured its victory through goals from Abdullah Al-Salim and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, scored in the 54th and 69th minutes respectively.

Oman had fallen behind against Kuwait when Shihab Al-Khaldi put the Blue team ahead in the sixth minute. However, Oman scored three times in 19 minutes after half-time to turn the match around.

Nasser Al-Rawahi equalised in the 65th minute and added a second in the 81st, before Musab Al-Shaqsi completed the comeback three minutes later.

Al-Shaqsi removed his shirt while celebrating the third goal and received a yellow card. That left Oman level with Iraq and Kuwait on eight bookings, ensuring the two competing teams were also tied on the fair-play measure.

Although Oman’s players celebrated what appeared to be qualification through fair play, the organising committee announced that a draw would be required after receiving the referees’ report.

The result means Oman have reached the semi-finals for a third consecutive edition. They finished runners-up in the previous two tournaments and have won the Gulf Cup in 2009 and 2017.