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Tribune News Network
Kuwait City
Oman won their second Gulf Cup title after defeating neighbours UAE 5-4 on penalties in the final at Jaber International Stadium on Friday.
Despite not conceding a single goal all tournament, Alberto Zaccheroni's men could not repeat their semi-final penalty-shootout win over Iraq as 2016 Asian Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman failed to score from the spot twice.
A reserved first quarter of an hour from both sides saw little in way of goal-scoring opportunities, and it was the Omanis who came close first when captain Ahmed Mubarak headed into the goalkeeper's arms from Mohsin Johar's corner-kick.
The Whites responded through Ahmed Khalil who latched onto a long pass from Ali Salmin to control and fire from a tight angle, but his effort ended in the wrong side of the Omani net.
Abdulrahman's attempted through pass was deflected off an Omani defender and into the path of Ali Mabkhout whose powerful striker from the edge of the area was tipped over by goalkeeper Fayez al Rashidi.
The Reds came as close as anyone to end the UAE's run of six clean sheets under their Italian boss when winger Jameel al Yahmadi dribbled his way past three players before firing from a tight angle. His shot skimmed the upright and went behind for a goal kick as the teams went into the break level.
A goalless first half was followed by a thrilling second as Oman came out of the blocks racing with Jameel al Yahmadi hitting the upright after a solo run from the right flank.
Goalkeeper Khaled Eisa, who was one of the standout performers for the Whites in the semi-final against Iraq, was again superb as he produced a string of saves in the final 15 minutes, denying Johar then diving low to rescue Khaled al Hajeri's header from close distance. The UAE were handed a golden opportunity to repeat their group stage win over Oman when the referee awarded them a late penalty after Mabkhout was brought down inside the box. Abdulrahman stepped up but goalkeeper Rashidi dived in the right direction to save and take the match into extra time.
The extra half hour produced no news as Eisa made a superb save to deny Johar whose free-kick was headed into the top corner in the final minute to take his side into penalties for the second match running. This time, lady luck deserted the Emiratis as both sides scored from their first four spot kicks. UAE playmaker Abdulrahman took the fifth spot kick, but once again his effort was saved by Rashidi before Johar converted his effort which gave Oman their first ever trophy on foreign soil.
The UAE were left to rue their luck, and with a lot of work to do with exactly one year to go before they host the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
