(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman finished its qualifying campaign for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup on a high after thrashing Singapore 3-1 in their concluding Group A match at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.
The win completed the Red Warriors' unbeaten run in the qualifiers as they finished on top of their group with 14 points. The sultanate team conceded just one goal in its six-match effort.
Ironically, that one goal came in Wednesday's game in which Oman's No 1 keeper Ali al Habsi returned to the side after nearly a year.
Imad al Hosni, Qasim Said and Sami al Hasani scored for Oman, while Singapore skipper Shahril Ishak reduced the margin.
Oman played attacking football from the start, much to the delight of the 6,700-strong crowd. The home team got its first few chances with Qasim Said and Hosni taking turns at shots on goal, while the visitors barely made it to the opposition's half.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 19th minute when a long pass from the centre was picked up by Hosni in the penalty area. His first attempt on goal was warded off by Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny. But as the ball
Rebounded, Hosni pounced on it and scored.
No further goals came in the first half. But Oman's attacking midfield and forward line showed more intent after the break, constantly testing the Singapore defence.
Oman soon made it 2-0 when Raeed Ibrahim set up Qasim Said. The latter got hold of a chipped cross from the left and gently slid the ball into the Singapore net.
The third goal for the hosts came in the 69th minute when Qasim Said received a ball from Eid al Farsi and crossed it to substitute Hasani, who found the target.
From 0-3 down, Singapore salvaged a face-saving strike as an energetic Ishak out-ran the Oman defenders to slot the ball past Habsi in the 78th minute.
In another Group A match, Jordan recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Syria in Amman on?Wednesday to finish runner-up behind Oman with 12 points.
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