Asian University Football Championship: Oman varsity team reaches semis

Date

9/5/2016 8:55:33 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily)

Oman's university football team stormed into the semifinals of the third Asian University Football Championship, organised by the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF) in Taebaek, South Korea, on Saturday.

The Omani outfit, coached by former national youth team coach Salim Azzan, overcame a stiff challenge from Myanmar before winning 4-2 to top its group.

Oman had begun its campaign on Thursday with a goalless draw against China and needed a big win to get past China to book a spot in the semifinals from Pool C. It now faces Japan B for a place in the final.

The other semifinal features Iran and South Korea A. China had earlier defeated Myanmar 1-0, but Oman's superior goal-difference settled the issue in its favour at the conclusion of the preliminary round of the continental tournament.

After two days of group-stage competitions, Iran from Pool A, South Korea A from Pool B and Japan B from Pool D won the tickets to semifinals.

Action from the match between Oman and Myanmar in Taebaek, South Korea on Friday. Oman won 4-2 to advance to the semifinals

Against Myanmar, the Oman team was well-organised in its offence and defence, and enjoyed a three-goal lead going into the interval.

In the second half, Myanmar fought hard and scored twice to reduce the gap to one goal, before Oman scored an all-important goal to not only win, but also edge China for a place in the semis.

The semifinals will be held on Monday while the final will be played on Wednesday. Earlier, the championship was inaugurated by Kim Yeon-Sik, Mayor of Taebaek, in the presence of Asian University Football Federation president Byon Seok-Hwa and AUSF secretary general Kenny Chow.

The Omani delegation is led by Salim al Araimi, chairman of the Oman Committee for University Sports.

Group A: Iran, Malaysia, South Korea B; Group B: South Korea A, Hong Kong and South Korea C; Group C: China, Myanmar, Oman; Group D: Japan A, Chinese Taipei, Japan B.

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