Oman keep slate clean in last tie

Abu Dhabi: Last year's finalists Oman finished as the only team with an unbeaten record as they cruised into the last four with a 2-1 win over Yemen in the last match.

Oman, who had earlier scalped hosts UAE and then defeated Kuwait, started off in a whirlwind fashion scoring within 35 seconds into the match.

Hashim Saleh Mohammad sent Yousef Shaban on the right flank and the midfielder crossed into the box. The Yemen defenders were caught napping as Sultan Al Touqui headed home to start with a bang.

Yemen, who needed to win and then hope for a favourable result from the other group, soon settled down and began to trouble the Omanis. Alla Mohammad Abdullah almost got the equaliser but he shot into the side netting after latching on to the ball following a defensive error.

Yemen's equaliser came in the ninth minute when a free-kick by Salih Ahmad Qasim was diverted home at the far post by an unmarked Mohammad Salih Yousef.

After that, it was Oman who controlled most of the play with Ahmad Mubarak doing the bulk of the creative play in the middle. Mubarak made up for the absence of Fawzi Bashir and kept Hashim Saleh and Younis Al Mushairy busy up front.

Just before the break, Yemen goalkeeper Salim Abdullah Awad brilliantly saved a powerful free kick by Younis.

With news at the break that Kuwait and UAE were level 2-2, Yemen's task became that much more difficult. They had to win well and Oman were not in the mood to take it easy.

Oman then struck in the 88th minute when substitute Ahmad Al Bousafi scored off a pass from Hamad Al Bloushi.

Oman now take on the runners-up of the other group in the semifinals.