Senegal make it through 2:0 Oman, played very well and looked the better team. Senegal scored in the 1st minute from a header from a free kick near the corner flag. Keeper came and was too slow. Just the start Senegal needed. Oman needed to chase. 2nd goal, 87th minute, against run of play, it was Oman all 2nd hald execept for the odd counter. I know the keepers young, but he should have saved it, more or less parred t into the net. Oman looked good, at set pieces played the ball low and used their brains against the much bigger and stronger running Senegal team. If Oman had Al Habsi in goal they wouldn't have conceded simple as that. Would they have scored? Well, they had the odd chance, but the likely hood is that they wouldn't other than a set piece directly outside the box. Simply put, they looked good except for the final third when it mattered. A do feel a more physical side like Uzbekistan for example would have been better off against a Senegal team. As for Senegal, come Olympics I don't expect too much from them to be honest, big and strong but not smart enough for tournament football. Referee Webb from UK had a good game, rarely seen. As 6 of the players are in the senior setup, maybe with hindsight that its good they got knocked out so they can fully concentrate on the WCQ. And one last thing. Oman coach Le Guen, turned up in his jeans. A big important game and he didn't look the part. I now it doesn't matter too much, but he wasn't dressed smart and didn't look like he should have been there, to me this rubs on to the players a little bit, it doesn't give them the best example of the big match day experience.
Tough luck for Oman. Sounds like they were the better side and that the end result did not represent the match picture. Oman are going to be all the more motivated to do well in WCQ and try to qualify for the big dance. Being a lowly seeded team, their schedule this June is packed with having to play 3 matches against the three strongest (at least in my opinion) teams of that group which are Japan, Australia and Iraq. Very tough. These games will be decisive for the rest of their campaign.
Was in Oman just a couple of weeks ago and am very bummed to see them out of the olympics. However, it might be a blessing in disguise with the world cup qualifiers coming up.. they can now focus on that. I didn't watch the match as it was too late, and wasn't on any of my channels anyway. However, from what it sounds like it was typical Oman - dominating play but unable to convert chances when it matters most. They have been like this for almost the last decade and it's cost them before. Actually contrary to popular belief I think they came even closer back in the 2004 olympic qualifiers when they just needed to beat Kuwait away but just couldn't finish one of many chances and drew 0-0 allowing Iraq to qualify, who then went on to the semis. Anyhoo, tough luck for Oman - I hope to see them in the big time soon though....
i have a feeling everyone is gonna overlook UAE and then they will get a nice slap in the face when UAE and Uruguay advance but no Britain. i hope all asian teams advance cause we need to stop this biased seeding bullshit.
This UAE side is full of the core of the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship and 2009 FIFA U-20 WC quarterfinalist. I do hope they will surprise some folks in London.