OMAN: SOCCCER/FOOTBALL - Jubilant Omani fans celebrate penalty kick victory over Saudi Arabia to win their first ever Gulf Cup

Record ID: 184446

  • Title: OMAN: SOCCCER/FOOTBALL - Jubilant Omani fans celebrate penalty kick victory over Saudi Arabia to win their first ever Gulf Cup
  • Date: 19th January 2009
  • Summary: FANS DANCING IN STREET LARGE CROWD CELEBRATING / CARS BEEPING HORNS
  • Embargoed: 3rd February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Oman
  • Country: Oman
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAR8S1JXXU0DJXZXAQQ4UOAJ6K
  • Story Text: Gulf Cup hosts Oman beat regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia on Saturday (January 17) to claim their first Gulf Cup title after a penalty shoot out decided the goalless match.
    Thousands of Omanis took to the streets immediately after the game and took part in ecstatic celebrations after their team's impressive performance in the tournament.
    Fans jammed the streets of the capital Muscat, dancing in the streets, waving Omani flags and honking car horns.
    "I never believed it when they said the Saudis were strong and were going to win. They could have won it the last time or the time before that. With all due respect to the Saudis, they were strong, as both teams are strong, but I say we deserved and merited the win," said one Omani fan.
    Another Omani fan said she was overjoyed at the sight of seeing her nation win the tournament after failing at the last hurdle on the previous two occasions.
    "The tears started to flow and I was so happy I couldn't control myself. A thousand million congratulations to the Omani national team and God willing they will always be victorious," she said.
    Most fans were pleased with the narrow victory, because it was over the tough Saudi side.
    "Thank God, we beat a very strong team, which means we won the cup on merit," said another Omani fan.
    Oman had cruised through their group, sweeping aside Asian champions Iraq 4-0 to set up a semi-final clash with Qatar before reaching their third consecutive Gulf Cup final.
    The match against the Saudis went to penalties after neither side managed to score a goal in 120 minutes of play with the Omanis emerging triumphant 6-5 in the shoot out.
    Elsewhere in the Gulf Cup, Qatar won the basketball and volleyball tournaments whilst Bahrain beat the hosts in the handball final.
    Oman, not traditionally known as a top soccer team in the region, has emerged as a stronger side in recent years but failed to reach the latter stages of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
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