Oman 1-0 Syria

 Oman kicked off their AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Syria in Group A on Wednesday evening with Abdulaziz Al Maqbali scoring the only goal of the game.

Paul Le Guen’s side held firm against the Syrians to make a positive start to their campaign to qualify for the finals of the continental championship for the third time and the first since 2007,according to the AFC.

After dominating the opening half, the Omanis picked up the goal their performance deserved six minutes before the break when Al Maqbali volleyed home Qasim Said’s cross from the left past Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous.

Said went close to doubling Oman’s lead on the stroke of half time when his effort from the left beat Balhous but Hussein Al Jwayed cleared the ball before it crossed the line.

The Omanis chose to sit back and defend their lead in the second half and the Syrians pushed for the equalizer.

With 11 minutes to go, Oday Al Jafal went closest to giving Syria a share of the spoils but his shot was just wide of the post.

M.D