DOHA (Qatar): Abdullah Fawaz scored a brace as Oman beat Afghanistan 2-1 to boost their hopes of advancing to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Oman had beaten Afghanistan 3-0 in their previous encounter in October 2019.
Fawaz opened the scoring in the 14th minute but Omid Popalzay pulled one back in the 23rd minute. Fawaz then added his second in the 51st minute in a Group E match here on Friday night.
Qatar have already sealed top spot in Group E with an unassailable 22 points.
Oman’s hopes now depend on finishing as one of the best five runners-up.
The central Asians will now have to beat India in their final match on Tuesday to finish third and book a spot in the final round of Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
Oman, with second place confirmed, play bottom-placed Bangladesh in their final game.
Afghanistan’s patience paid off handsomely four minutes later when they equalised through Popalzay’s header after Nejem had done well to supply the cross from the right flank.
