(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) He is known to be the backbone of Oman beach soccer's success over the years. Talib Hilal, the national team coach, yet again, brought glory for the sultanate as Oman edged past Palestine 2-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw to finish third in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday.
He is known to be the backbone of Oman beach soccer's success over the years. Talib Hilal, the national team coach, yet again, brought glory for the sultanate as Oman edged past Palestine 2-1 on penalties following a 2-2 draw to finish third in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday.
More importantly, the bronze-medal finish secured Oman's berth in the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay, the third time that Talib Hilal will lead the team at the worlds.
Japan emerged as the beach soccer kings of Asia, beating UAE 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw later on Sunday.
In his remarks from Pattaya after qualifying for the World Cup, Talib told Muscat Daily, 'It is a good win and its the third time I will be leading Oman to the World Cup.
'I was disappointed when we failed to reach the World Cup finals last time in 2017. But, we made up for the disappointment. My boys played very well to seal the spot in the World Cup.'
The 44 year old, who first led Oman to World Cup in 2011 in Ravenna, Italy, and then took the team to Espinho in Portugal in 2015, added, 'It was a tough game today but my players fought till the end. I am very happy for my players and Oman. To be among the top-16 teams in the world is an achievement and I am happy to put Oman on the world beach soccer map again.'
'I was impressed with our young players like Sami [al Balushi], who scored two goals today. He showed that we have good talent and bright future,' said Talib.
Oman had been in good form throughout the tournament as it began its campaign with an upset win over defending champion Iran. A win over Iraq and Bahrain put Oman up against UAE in the semis, which Talib's men lost narrowly.
However, the boys atoned for the semis disappointment on Sunday with a comeback win over a gritty Palestine side.
Oman players after securing their spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
In an amazing turnaround, Oman, which was trailing 0-2 down with just eight minutes remaining, bounced back, riding on a brace from Sami al Balushi to force a shootout. Oman then prevailed in dramatic fashion.
With just over a minute remaining in the opening period, Palestine's Islam Abuobayda found enough space to beat Oman goalkeeper Haitham Showan with a close range header, and give his side a 1-0 lead at the first break.
And just as the Omani pressure was building, Palestine scored a second in the 20th minute through Fadi al Arawi, who intercepted goalkeeper Amjad al Hamdani's long throw, and - with his only touch - managed to steer a powerful long-ranger header directly into the back of the net from behind the half-way line.
Palestine goalie Fady Jaber continued to repel Oman's attacks, denying Khalid al Oraimi and Yahya al Araimi in quick succession as Palestine took its 2-0 lead into the final period.
Oman had 12 minutes to keep its dream alive, and it pulled a goal back within four, after
Palestine switched off to allow Balushi to find the back of the net with a close range header in the 28th minute.
Talib's team attacked relentlessly, and - when Balushi produced a superb back-heel to score his second in three minutes - Oman was level with just five minutes on the clock.
In the shootout, an early miss from Abdullah Salim gave Palestine hope, but Hamdani saved from Mahmoud al Neirab, before Alaa Atiya missed Palestine's final effort to confirm Oman as Asia's final representative at Paraguay.
The World Cup kicks off in Asuncion, Paraguay, on November 21 with 16 teams competing for the global prize. As well as hosts Paraguay, African sides Nigeria and Senegal have secured their berths. They are now joined by Japan, UAE and Oman.
Talib's previous results at the World Cup in 2011 Ravenna (Italy) was 15th and ninth in 2015 Espinho (Portugal) among the 16 finalists.
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