CISM 2nd World Football Cup – Muscat (OMA)
COMPETITION DAY 9 - SEMIFINALS
MUSCAT (OMA) – The 4 remaining teams of the 2nd CISM World Football Cup, which is taking place in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, enjoyed one welcome rest day before the semifinals who were held yesterday, January 26, in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex with two games scheduled: Oman vs Egypt & Qatar vs Syria.
Semifinal 1: Oman vs Egypt – 1-1 (2-2 AET, 4-1 Penalty)
For all the spectators, this game was considered as a final before the final. The game started in an overheated stadium full of local and Egyptian fans. The first half was very balanced as both teams created several chances to score the opener but the goalkeepers disgusted the forwards with incredible saves. The first half ended on a 0-0 draw. The pressure was intensifying as both team were close to score and #22 Youssef, the Egyptian target man, took advantage of an incredible error from the Oman goalkeeper to score the opening goal by pushing the ball into the empty nets (72’). Ten minutes later, Oman reacted as #9 Al Mouqbali converted a penalty and equalized. Once again, for Egypt, the game headed to overtime.
Five minutes from the start of the extra time, a defensive error from the center back on a long ball in the box allowed #9 Al Mouqbali to score a brace and give advantage to the host country. Only two minutes later, on a perfect free kick on the right side, #17 Aboalanin headed the ball into the Omani nets for a deserved equalizer. The overtime ended on a 2-2 draw. The game went to the penalty shootouts during which the Omani goalkeeper made an impressive performance. As Oman managed to score its first three attempts, the Omani goalkeeper saved two out of the three Egyptian penalties and allowed #7 Al Yahmadi to score the victorious penalty in an indescribable atmosphere.
Semifinal 2: Qatar vs Syria - 2-2 (2-2 AET, 4-2 Penalty)
In the second semifinal, Qatar and Syria were facing for a place in the final. The first half was very intense and #99 Al Waked scored a stunning brace within 6 minutes (19’-25’) giving Syria a two-goals lead. Qatar reacted quite quickly with a strike from #4 Ngom (31’) while #17 Odoi managed to score the equalizer only one minute after the start of the second half. The score did not evolve and the extra time did not change anything. The two team would play their qualification for the final with the penalty shootouts.
The Qatari goalkeeper already proved his value in this exercise in the former round and once again, he literally disgusted the Syrian strikers by saving two attempts. Thanks to the wonderful performance of its goalkeeper, Qatar will face Oman for a final expected from everyone!
MEDAL GAMES’ SCHEDULE (28-01-2017):
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Gold Medal Game: Oman vs Qatar – 19.30 (local time) – Sultan Qaboos Sports Stadium
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Bronze Medal Game: Syria vs Egypt – 17.00 (local time) – Seeb Sports Stadium
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)
