CISM 2nd World Football Cup – Muscat (OMA)

COMPETITION DAY 4

MUSCAT (OMA) – The second round of the group stage of the 2nd CISM World Football Cup took place yesterday, January 18, in the city of Muscat, capital of the Sultanate of Oman.

Group A:

France and Guinea, who respectively lost their first game against Bahrain and the host country Oman, were facing in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex for a game that appeared to be an all-or-nothing match for both teams. France took the best possible start as #14 El Hajiri scored the first goal of France in the tournament (18’’). However, Guinea drew level just before the half time (#9 Sow – 38’). Both teams created several chances in the second half and France finally took the lead again with a strike from #5 Bouiahya. Guinea did not gave up and fought until the end of the game and the Guinean players efforts were rewarded with an equalizer goal of #10 Barry 6 minutes before the end of the game.

At 20.00 (local time), in the same stadium, the two favorites of the group, Oman and Bahrain, had the opportunity to ensure their qualification for the next round. The game was very pleasant, with a high technical level. Bahrain managed to take the lead as #11 Isameel scored a stunning free kick who overcame the all and left the goalkeeper without reaction (33’). Bahrain joined the lockers room with a 1-0 lead. As the pace of the game was high, the Bahrain players started to get tired, Oman increased the pressure and even equalized with a magnificent strike from 25m into the top corner (#7 Al Yahmadi (55’)). Despite several chances and an intense domination, Oman did not succeed in scoring the winning goal and had to settle with one point. Oman and Bahrain still have their fate in their hands for the qualification for the quarterfinals as they will respectively be facing France in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex and Guinea in the Seeb Sports Stadium on January 20 at 20.00 (local time)!

Group B:

After its initial win against Germany, Algeria wanted to confirm and had to deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Algerian players directly took control of the game and destroyed the suspense in less than 14 minutes. #11 Hamia scored the opening goal after 28’ and his teammate #22 Farhani imitated him eight minutes later. Hamia even scored a brace (36’) and gave a three goals lead to his team at the half time. Spectators thought the demonstration would go on but Iran surprisingly pulled a goal back with #9 Gholamrezapour scoring the first goal of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the tournament.

Algeria showed a complete lack of concentration in the second half time and allowed Iran to create several big chances they did not concretize. The game ended on a 3-1 victory for Algeria who is now leading the group B.

In the second game of the group B, Germany needed a victory against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to keep its chances of qualification to the quarterfinals. The game was intense and suspense-filled. With an early opening goal from #9 Sthal, who scored his second game of the tournament (23’), Germany suffered against the attacks of the North Korean players and could count on the skills of his goalkeeper to prevent North Korean from scoring the equalizer. Germany is still alive in this tournament and will just need to beat the Islamic Republic of Iran on January 20 to qualify for the quarterfinals while DPR Korea will attempt to grab the remaining direct qualification place against the undefeated leader Algeria.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE (19-01-2017):

• Ireland vs Qatar – 17.00 (local time) – Group C – Seeb Sports Stadium

• USA vs Mali – 20.00 (local time) – Group C – Seeb Sports Stadium

• Egypt vs Canada – 17.00 (local time) – Group D – Police Sports Stadium (ROP)

• Syria vs Poland – 20.00 (local time) – Group D – Police Sports Stadium (ROP)

For more information, please visit the official website of the second CISM World Football Cup Organizing Committee: www.cismoman2017.om or their official Facebook page: CISM Oman 2017.

For the livestreaming of the games, click here: Oman TV or here: Oman Sports TV.

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)

(Pictures:  Eddy Kellens, CISM Photographer - Jonathan Verhoeft, CISM Photographer)