Oman Advances to Semifinals in Historic Run at FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: Oman’s remarkable journey at the inaugural FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup reached new heights as they secured a spot in the semi-finals with a convincing 5-2 victory over Kenya on Tuesday morning. Coached by Seigfried Aikman, the hosts continued their dream run, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash against the Netherlands later in the evening.
In the quarter-finals, Oman displayed prowess against Kenya, taking a 2-1 lead in the first half. Khalid Al Shaaibi emerged as a key player, contributing a hat-trick with goals in the 9th, 20th, and 22nd minutes. Rashid Al Fazari and Asama Barazahan also found the net, sealing a resounding win.
Oman’s historic achievement includes becoming the first team from the Sultanate to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup in any Olympic sport. The team’s impressive performance has ignited hopes of securing a coveted World Cup medal.
In the other quarter-final matchups, the Netherlands defeated India 7-4, setting the stage for a showdown with Oman. Poland secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against an unbeaten Egypt, with the winning goal coming in the final seconds. Poland will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Trinidad & Tobago and Malaysia.
The semi-finals are scheduled for later in the evening, marking the culmination of the first edition of the Hockey5s World Cup on Wednesday. Oman’s exceptional journey has captivated fans and raised the profile of hockey in the Sultanate.
