World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Nov 19, 2024 at 12am UK

Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex

Omanvs.Iraq

Match preview

They left it late last week, but Oman managed to collect three valuable points in their quest to make it to the World Cup for the first time.

Right now, the West Asian side is in fourth place, but they can move up to second with a win, if Jordan also loses. That would put them in a position to earn an automatic spot in the 2026 finals.

Since Rashid Jaber took over in September, Oman have got their qualification campaign back on track, winning two of their last three games after losing their opening two matches in round three.

All of their points so far have been earned at home, with a combined 5-0 win in their last two matches in Muscat.

In the 2022 qualifying round, Oman narrowly missed out on the fourth round by just a single point. However, midway through this third-round cycle, they are currently three points above Kuwait for that final spot in round four.

If they win on Tuesday, it'll be the first time they've claimed consecutive triumphs since winning three in a row between March and June.

It looks like the Iraqi qualification campaign has hit a minor speed bump after a strong start to the third round of Group B qualifying.

The Lions of Mesopotamia haven't been able to claim a win in their last two games, despite a strong start to the third round of Group B qualifying, where they picked up six points from their opening three contests.

The team has been rock solid at the back under Jesus Casas, conceding the fewest goals in Group B (just three).

They kept a clean sheet in all three of their home games this round, but they haven't won any of their last two away games, including a narrow 3-2 defeat against South Korea on matchday four.

They seem to lack quality and decisiveness in the attacking third, though. They've only scored four goals in this round, four fewer than Jordan, who are above them on goal difference at +4, while Iraq are at +1.

Iraq are unbeaten in their last three matches against Oman in all competitions. They beat them 1-0 at home in the opening game of this round.

Recent Performance

Oman World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:DLLWLW

Iraq World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WWDWLD

Team News

Four new players were in Oman's starting 11 last Thursday, but didn't play in the match against Jordan. These were Abdulaziz Al-Shamousi, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, Abdullah Fawaz and Nasser Al-Rawahi.

Issam Al-Sabhi could get his 50th cap for the national team on Tuesday, while Sultan Al-Marzouq, Mulham Al-Sinaidi, Hussein Al-Shahri, Jacob Wahrez and Ibrahim Al-Rajhi are all hoping to make their first international appearances.

Muhsen Al-Ghassani scored seven minutes from the end in their previous game, helping his team beat Palestine and keep a clean sheet with five saves from Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini.

Casas made four changes to the Iraqi starting lineup from matchday four to five, with Ahmed Basil starting in goal, while Manaf Younis, Saad Abdul-Amir and Ali Jasim also earned a spot in the starting 11.

Ali Faez is just one appearance away from 50 with the senior squad, while Mohanad Ali can equal Laith Hussein for ninth in all-time goals, with the Al-Shorta striker currently on 20 for the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Ahmed Basil kept a clean sheet last week, stopping four Jordan efforts in place of Jalal Hassan, who conceded three goals in their defeat to South Korea (3-2).

Possible starting lineup

Oman possible starting lineup:

Al-Mukhaini; Al-Shamousi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Musalami, Al-Kaabi; Al-Yahmadi, Al-Saadi, Al-Alawi, Fawaz; Wahrez, Al-Ghassani

Iraq possible starting lineup:

Basil; Saadoon, Younis, Sulaka, Doski; Iqbal, Al-Ammari; Jasim, Yasin, Madjed; Hussein