Oman’s bizarre Gulf Cup goal leaves semi-final place to a draw

Musab Al-Shaqsi scored a remarkable goal that first appeared to send Oman into the Gulf Cup 27 semi-finals, before his celebration changed the qualification picture completely.

Oman recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Kuwait 3-1 in their final Group B match on Tuesday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

Al-Shaqsi scored Oman’s third goal in the 84th minute, heading a cross from a free-kick into the net. The result put Oman ahead of Iraq in the race for the final semi-final place under the tournament’s fair-play rule.

Before the goal, Oman had collected seven yellow cards compared with Iraq’s eight. However, Al-Shaqsi removed his shirt while celebrating, earning a booking and bringing Oman level with Iraq on eight yellow cards.

The two teams were therefore tied on every applicable measure.

Iraq and Oman both finished with four points and had drawn 1-1 in their opening match. Each side scored four goals and conceded five, while both received eight yellow cards and neither was shown a red card.

As no factor separated them, the Gulf Cup organisers are scheduled to hold a draw at a hotel in Jeddah to determine which team will advance to the semi-finals.

Iraq had been in a position to qualify but missed the opportunity after losing 2-0 to Saudi Arabia at the same time. That result left Iraq waiting alongside Oman for the draw to settle the outcome.

The unusual sequence at the end of the Oman-Kuwait match meant Al-Shaqsi’s goal both appeared to secure Oman’s progress and then removed the advantage his team had gained through the fair-play standings.