MUSCAT -- Oman beat Syria 2-0 in a World
Cup Asia zone group one qualifier on Friday to advance to the
second phase for the first time.
Midfield powerhouse Taqi Mubarak tapped in Oman's opening
goal in the last minute of the first half and substitute Majdi
Shaaban rose above the Syrian defence to seal the visitors' fate
in the 67th minute.
Oman's Czech coach Milan Macala told a news conference that
the Syrians were intimidated by the 30,000 fans who turned up
with flares and a thundering display of fireworks.
"The boys played great football but the crowd's tremendous
support was decisive," he said.
Oman won the group, which also included Laos and the
Philippines, with 16 points from their six games.
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