Ahmed Al’Amrani emerged Oman’s hero, netting twice with the winner coming in the 89th minute to give his side their first three points, leaving Iran bottom of the group with a solitary point.
Oman will still need a result in their final group game against Tajikistan to reach the knockout round and book a ticket at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. Iran will meet DPR Korea, who defeated Tajikistan 3-0 in the earlier tie on Tuesday.
Both teams came into the contest needing a win after Iran settled for a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea, while Oman lost 2-1 to Tajikistan in their opening matches.
That intent showed as the match got off to a frenzied start with both sets of players eager to get on the ball.Iran set the early pace with two chances in the first seven minutes which fell to Abolfazl Kazemi.
First the defender headed over from close range, before he failed to steer an inviting cross from Mohammad Amin Hosseini on target. Oman got their first sight on goal in the eighth minute, but Al Walid Al Rashdi failed to hit the target and the ball was ushered out to safety.
Iran, however, took a deserved lead in the 39th minute through Mahan Beheshti’s left-footed free-kick, which flew past Ahmed Al Rawahi who should have done better.
Al Rawahi made amends just a minute later to deny Omid Gharahchomaghloo and Mahan Alipour in quick succession to keep Oman in the tie going into the break.
The second half kicked into life seven minutes in with Oman drawing level through Al Rashdi, who headed home Osama Al Ma’mari’s overhead kick that was intended as a shot.
But before Oman could savour the equaliser, Iran regained their lead almost from the restart through Ehsan Kheradpisheh, who finished Alipour’s cutback into the top corner.
Stung after going behind for a second time, Oman moved up a gear and Iran custodian Abolfazl Khalilian needed two attempts to smother Al’Amrani’s header.
Oman’s persistence paid off in the 74th minute when Alyazan Al Balushi was brought down in the box, with Al’ Amrani stepping up to draw Oman level again from 12 yards with the forward then finishing from close range to steal the points. AFC/fir
