Roaring Oman trounce 10-men Iraq 4-0

Muscat: Oman roared back in style to stay in contention and fulfil nation's aspirations of a maiden Gulf Cup title with a thumping 4-0 victory over ten-men Iraq last night in front of the packed 30,000-capacity Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

The flag-waving, drum beating Omani fans could not have asked for a better display from the home side in a cracker of a match.

Oman made their intent clear from the word go as they toyed with the Iraqis before crossing over with a 1-0 advantage earned by Hassan Rabee'a in the 24th minute. He tapped home a ball headed down in his path by Fawzi Bashir.

Hassan added one more in the 65th minute when his power-packed 25-yard shot beat Mohammad Kasid under Iraqi bar hands down.

He added his third goal in the 79th minute when he was put through by Hashim Saleh. Star Striker Emad Al Hosni, who plays professional soccer in Qatar, slotted home the second goal after 50 minutes.

The home team's French coach Claude Leroy went for an all-out aggressive formation against a depleted Iraqi team in the knowledge that he had a rock-solid Ali Al Habsi under his bar and cool-headed defender Mohammed Rabee'a to thwart any counter attacks.

Habsi proved pedigree when Rabee'a erred in holding an Iraqi player from behind in a goalmouth melee during the only corner earned by Iraq in the 28the minute. Habsi dived low to his left to stop the resultant penalty kick from Iraqi midfielder Hawar Mulla.

The opening match jitters shown by Oman had vanished in the cold air of Muscat as they moved like a well-oiled machine while not giving an inch to the reigning Asian Champions.

Left chasing shadows of Omani strikers Iraq's defender Jasem Mohammad had to indulge in desperate lunging tackles and that cost him dearly as he earned two yellow in 25 minutes of, subsequently getting his marching orders in 44th minute.

The draw against Kuwait was log forgotten as Oman showed their true colours, which have made them the tournament favourites.