CISM 2nd World Football Cup – Muscat (OMA)

COMPETITION DAY 3

MUSCAT (OMA) – Yesterday, January 17, the first games of the group C and D took place in Muscat (OMA) in the framework of the 2nd CISM World Football Cup.

At 17.00 (local time), Ireland played its first game of the tournament against the African country of Mali. The two teams, maybe stressed by the challenge, committed many technical mistakes and there were not too many chances in the match. However, the Irish player #4 Horgan scored the first goal of the game as he curled the ball into the back the Malian net (18’’). Nevertheless, Mali waited for the best time of the game to score the equalizer via Diallo just before the half time whistle (45’’). Although both teams had some chances to score a second goal, the score did not change and the game ended on a draw, both teams being awarded 1 point.

Following this confrontation, Qatar and USA entered the pitch for the second game of the group C. In a match that amounted to one-way traffic, the Qatari players showed some lovely skill that should enable them to finish on the podium of the competition. After 60 minutes, Qatar had already scored three goals (#4 Ngom (30’’), #9 Ali (50’’) and #17 Odoi (54’’)). Qatar controlled the pace of the game and scored two more goals via Ngom and Odoi who both managed to score a brace, while US #20 Downey salvaged some pride by scoring the sole goal of the US team (84’’). Qatar is now leading the Group C ahead of Mali and Ireland.

In the next games of the Group C will take place in the Seeb Stadium with Ireland facing the Qatari ogre and the US team trying to win its first victory against Mali

In the first game of the group D, Egypt, considered as one the favorite of the tournament by the observers, was facing Poland in the Seeb Sports Stadium. After ten minutes, the Egyptian players already showed their technical skills and created two big chances they did not concretize. Egypt dominated the first half time but had to face valiant Polish players who also had two or three big opportunities to score the first goal. The team joined the locker rooms at the halftime on a 0-0 draw.

Two minutes after the start of the second half, Poland scored the first goal of the game after a beautiful individual effort of #10 Tuczak who surprisingly gave the lead to his team (47’’). The Egyptian coach proceeded to substitutions and expected a reaction from his players. As the Polish players seemed to be tired, Egypt took advantage of the situation to approach Poland’s goal. The Egyptian efforts paid off as the lefty substitute #22 Youssef scored a magnificent free kick equalizer from 28 meters. Despite several big chances in the last minutes of the game, Egypt did not manage to score the winning goal and the game ended up on 1-1 draw! A deserved point for the Polish team!

At 20.00 (local time), Syria played against Canada in the Seeb Sports Stadium. After two minutes, Syria already proved its superiority as #12 Al Kadoor scored the opening goal. Twelve minutes later, #99 Al Waked doubled his side lead (19’’). Syria even wrapped up the win with a third goal from his #40 Al Khouli. The game was over and Syria took the control until the end of the game to ensure the first place of the group D.

On January 19, the games of the group D will take place in the Police Sports Stadium (ROP) as Egypt will face Canada at 17.00 (local time) and Syria will play against Poland at 20.00 (local time).

Today’s schedule (18-01-2017):

• France vs Guinea – 17.00 (local time) – Group A – Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex

• Oman vs Bahrain – 20.00 (local time) – Group A – Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex

• Algeria vs Islamic Republic of Iran – 17.00 (local time) – Group B – Police Sports Stadium (ROP)

• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea vs Germany – 20.00 (local time) – Group B – 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)