Oman defeat Malaysia 2-0 to go top of group

Muscat: Oman coach Jaroslav Silhavy’s tenure with the Red Warriors got off to a winning start as the hosts beat Malaysia 2-0 to get their campaign on track in Group D of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex on Thursday.

The win saw Oman move to the top of the group on goal difference, with the West Asian side tied on six points with Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.

Playing the first game under Czech Republic coach Silhavy, Oman, needed a win after their 1-0 defeat to Kyrgyzstan on Matchday Two. The hosts didn’t take long to settle and had it not been for a timely interception by Dominic Tan inside the box, should have taken the lead through Omar Al Malki in the 10th minute.

Malaysia were struggling to keep the ball and escaped narrowly again in the 14th minute, with goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan doing just enough to keep Al Malki’s header out.

Oman kept pressing and were unlucky in the 22nd minute, forward Issam Al Subhi receiving the ball from a long cross and beating the onrushing Ahmad but the forward could only find the side netting.

Malaysia were finding it difficult to deal with Oman’s crosses from deep and Ahmad had to be at his best again in the 32nd minute, diving low to keep out Salaah Al Yahyaei’s drive.

Having ridden their luck in the first half, Malaysia braced themselves for a second period of sustained pressure with Al Malki sending his header just wide two minutes into the restart.

Oman’s positive play finally paid dividends in the 58th minute, with Ali Sulaiman Al Busaidi sending a low cross into the penalty area. Al Malki opted to let the ball run, allowing the unmarked Issam Al Subhi to rifle home.

Malaysia’s response was almost immediate, Faisal Halim’s corner finding Corbin Ong at the far post but the defender’s header rocked the crossbar.

Substitute Paulo Josue had the ball in the net in the 82nd minute but to Malaysia’s dismay, the forward was judged to be offside.

The points were then sealed by Oman in the 88th minute, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Al Busaidi who, upon receiving the ball from Jameel Al Yahmadi, cut it back to Mohsen Saleh Al Ghassani to flick over Ahmad.